UK premiere of Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Hero to close the 69th BFI London Film Festival

The 69th BFI London Film Festival (8 to 19 October) in partnership with American Express is excited to announce that this year’s Closing Night Gala will be the UK Premiere of Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Hero at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 19th October 2025 with members of the ensemble cast expected to attend.

A bold and beautiful fairytale based on Isabel Greenberg’s graphic novel, 100 Nights of Hero follows Cherry, whose neglectful husband departs after placing a secret wager to test her fidelity, and her sharp witted maid Hero as they fend off as dangerously seductive visitor.

Julia Jackman’s second feature 100 Nights of Hero marks a return to the BFI London Film Festival with her debut feature Bonus Track premiering at the festival in 2023.

“The BFI London Film Festival has championed my work since my very early shorts, so bringing 100 Nights of Hero here is profoundly special” said director of 100 Nights of Hero, Jackman. “To return as the closing night gala is an incredible honour, and we can’t wait to share this film on our home turf with a London audience!”

“Julia Jackman is a filmmaker of enormous talent whose work we’ve had the pleasure of presenting in previous editions of the festival” said Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director. “We were genuinely excited to see 100 Nights of Hero and it won us over immediately with its witty scripting, pitch perfect performances and a joyfully rebellious heart. I’m personally honoured and delighted to welcome Julia and her talented team to take the stage this year and share this wondrous film with audiences.”

Independent Film Company releases 100 Nights of Hero in the US on 5th December.

The 69th edition of the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express will take place in the following venues:

• The Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall returns as the gala venue
• BFI Southbank is the home of the competition programme, Screen Talks and LFF for Free events
• The UK’s biggest screen BFI IMAX will once again host LFF screenings
• LFF Expanded works will be presented at Marie Rambert Studio, Rambert, BFI IMAX and BFI Southbank
• Five partner cinemas in London’s West End include Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End
• Festival venues across the UK include Broadway Cinema in Nottingham, Chapter in Cardiff, Glasgow Film Theatre, HOME in Manchester, MAC in Birmingham, Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast, Showroom Cinema in Sheffield, Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle, National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, Filmhouse in Edinburgh and Watershed in Bristol
• Press and industry screenings take place at Picturehouse Central

In addition to UK-wide screenings at the Festival venues, audiences will also be able to explore LFF programmes past and present with a special collection of films on BFI Player. 

The 69th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 8 October – Sunday 19 October, 2025. The full festival programme will be revealed on Wednesday 3 September 2025, with tickets on sale from 16 September (BFI Members book early).

Press and Industry accreditation is now open.