Record Crowds Celebrate Film at 2024 BFI London Film Festival

The 69th BFI London Film Festival has broken attendance records. More than 235,853 people attended screenings and events this October. The festival ran from October 8th to 19th across London and the U.K.

This marks the highest attendance in the festival’s long history. Official figures confirm a huge surge in public interest for cinema.

Unprecedented Demand and Star-Studded Premieres

Occupancy for in-person events in London hit 94 percent. This is up from 92 percent last year. Nearly half of all tickets were bought by first-time attendees.

The event opened with Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. It hosted 44 major red carpets. Stars like Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley walked for premieres such as Hamnet.

According to Reuters, the industry forum also saw massive engagement. Over 3,400 professional delegates participated in the event.

Awards and Lasting Cultural Impact

Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet won the coveted audience award. The film stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. It is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel.

The documentary Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story also won a major prize. The festival showcased 252 titles from 79 different countries. Over 40 percent of works were from female and non-binary filmmakers.

This success underscores London’s status as a global film capital. The Deputy Mayor for Culture called it a “world’s best celebration of cinema.” The event provides a massive boost to the U.K. creative industry.

The record-breaking 2024 BFI London Film Festival has solidified its place as a premier global event. Its soaring attendance reflects a powerful and enduring public appetite for cinematic storytelling.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What was the total attendance at this year’s London Film Festival?

This year’s festival recorded 235,853 attendees. This is the highest attendance figure in the event’s history. The numbers include screenings in London and across the U.K.

Which film won the main audience award?

Chloé Zhao’s historical drama *Hamnet* won the audience award for best feature. The film stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. It is based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell.

How many films were shown at the festival?

The festival presented 252 features, shorts, and series. These works came from 79 different countries worldwide. The lineup included 28 world premieres.

Was this year’s festival more popular than last year’s?

Yes, occupancy at paid London events rose to 94 percent from 92 percent. The total audience figure of 235,853 is a new record high for the festival.

When did the 2024 BFI London Film Festival take place?

The festival ran for twelve days from October 8th to October 19th, 2024. Events were held in London and at venues across the United Kingdom.