LFF for Free programme announced at 68th BFI London Film Festival

More than 60 completely free events on offer to audiences across London from 10 to 27 October 2024.

Life Beyond Labels, a free programme from Together TV’s Diverse Film Fund, which focuses on empowering deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent filmmakers

The 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express reveals a host of compelling new events for its 2024 LFF For Free programme. Taking in everything from the secrets of making the world’s biggest animations, to the future of cinema, LFF For Free is open to everyone, offering engaging, one-of-a-kind events for audiences of all tastes. From family-focused activities to multidisciplinary short film screenings, talks with visionary new talent, immersive experiences, video games and film-inspired DJ nights – all events are available totally free of charge for audiences to enjoy.  

The majority of LFF For Free will take place at BFI Southbank and gallery@oxo  over the two weekends of the BFI London Film Festival: 12 to 13 October and 19 to 20 October, with further free experiences available at venues across London and online outside of these dates.   

“Our 2024 programme is bursting with ideas and events to entice film fans and the cinematically curious alike,” said Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director. “With exhibitions, workshops, talks, screenings and club nights there’s so many ways to enjoy the LFF – for free!” 

Booking for LFF For Free will open at 10:00 BST on Thursday 3 October.

At a glance

  • From How to Train Your Dragon to Kung Fu Panda: LFF celebrates 30 Years of DreamWorks Animation with a special event featuring president of DreamWorks animation Margie Cohn and three-time Academy Award nominated writer-director of The Wild Robot, Chris Sanders; and a DreamWorks 30th anniversary exhibition at gallery@oxo, charting the studio’s artistry, imagination and excellence over three decades of animation that has encouraged audiences to imagine a funnier, kinder, and more inclusive world 

  • LFF for Free presents Episodes 4 to 7 of Alfonso Cuaron’s Disclaimer; with the premiere of Episodes 1 to 3 as part of the main programme, this event is perfect for those who can’t wait to see how it ends with the complete series showing on the big screen during the Festival 

  • That Christmas Festive Workshop for children 

  • Film in Print: Cinematic page-turners featuring guest speakers Mark Cousins, Ellen E. Jones, Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka, Tim Robey and Bechdel Test Fest founder Corrina Antrobus 

  • To Game or Not to Game: The first LFF Games Lounge + Gaming for Real, an exploration of Machinima with the team behind the film Grand Theft Hamlet  

  • Free family events: Savages-inspired poster-making and model making workshops, plus a travel-inspired collage workshop inspired by Blink 

  • A Beginners Guide To: Deep dives into some of the preeminent directors at this year’s festival @ The Festival Café presented by American Express 

  • LFF Expanded: Free immersive and XR works at Outernet, BFI IMAX and Bargehouse @ OXO Wharf 

  • From film score to dancefloor: DJ nights inspired by 60s icon Twiggy, 80s Ska, the sounds of Brazil and new Pharrell Williams documentary Piece by Piece. 

  • Stunning short films from the most exciting new filmmakers + films exploring resistance, neurodiversity & more, also available to stream UK-wide, for free, on BFI Player 

  • BFI Film Academy Young Programmers Events: talks created and curated by young people from across the UK 

  • Selected LFF Screen Talks available globally on BFI YouTube 

BFI Membership

Become a BFI Member from £39 to enjoy priority festival booking as well as other great benefits all year round.

Join today