The year of strong women at the BFI London Film Festival ǀ 7th – 18th October

The BFI London Film Festival returns to the capital – and this year it’s all about the women.

The festival has confirmed that this year will the “the year of strong women”, with the focus being on films with leading ladies, and those who promote women behind the scenes. BFI chief executive, Amanda Nevill said she hope the festival will be “real moment to kickstart change.”

The festival will be opened by Suffragette, in its European premiere. Suffragette has an all-star female cast including Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham-Carter and Carey Mulligan; and is produced and directed by women.

The festival will also feature the UK premiere of Carol, which was a hit at Cannes and stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in leading roles. There is also a film adaptation of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van.

BFI have also confirmed their latest partnership with Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, Women in Film and Television (UK). The institute aims to engage, educate and influence the gender diversity of the entertainment industry. This news comes as the spotlight is shone on disparage between gender and the lack of women in the industry.

Nevill continued, “The proportion of women writers and directors remains alarmingly low, while the number of films with female protagonists is in decline. So something isn’t working here. It’s not a male problem or a female problem, it is something we need to tackle together. We need to invent new and intelligent ways of working for the whole workforce.”

The BFI London Film Festival was founded in 1933 and is currently in its 58^th year. The festival will run from the 7^th October to 18^th October and features over 200 films, documentaries and shorts. There are also discussions and seminars with actors, directors and producers.

To find further information about the festival, please click here. You can buy tickets to any BFI London Film Festival event here.