Programme announced for inaugural LFF Expanded industry day

The 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), in partnership with American Express, has announced the programme for its inaugural LFF Expanded Industry Day, taking place on Wednesday 15 October 2025. Supported by the Southbank Centre, the new initiative marks the festival’s first dedicated industry platform for immersive, XR and video games.

Taking place across Southbank Centre and BFI Southbank, the day offers UK creators a focused space to connect with international peers, buyers and commissioners. Industry delegates will gain early access to projects in development, insights from leading voices, and opportunities to build new international connections.

Highlights include the festival’s first Works-in-Progress Showcase for immersive and video games, featuring five UK projects in development – from The Whale, an immersive reinterpretation of Moby-Dick, to Messiah, a satirical VR comedy narrated by comedian Kate Cheka.

Two industry talks will explore creative practice and business development:

• Creativity Unleashed? Balancing Artistic Freedom and Distribution Requirements, featuring speakers from Anagram, Onassis ONX/Tribeca Immersive, Manchester International Festival and AΦE Company.
• Championing Immersive Storytelling. Funding Opportunities at the BFI, with insights from BFI fund directors and BFI-supported creatives.

The day concludes with a networking reception at BFI Southbank, connecting UK immersive and games creators with international industry figures.

“The launch of LFF Expanded Industry Day marks an important step in recognising immersive and gaming within the Festival’s industry programme,” said Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director. “It reflects our ambition to celebrate all forms of screen culture, positioning XR and video games alongside film, series and documentary as vital modes of contemporary storytelling, and creating new opportunities for UK creators to connect with the international industry.”

This year’s LFF Expanded programme presents 11 projects spanning immersive art, VR, XR, AI and video games, featured within the Create strand and special events. It also includes the festival’s first Immersive Special Presentation – Andrew Schneider’s N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (The Stars).

The full LFF 2025 industry programme will be announced on Monday 22 September 2025.