What Events and Screenings Does the BFI Website List?

Updated

The BFI website lists in-person screenings and events at its two London venues: BFI Southbank, which runs four screens seven days a week, and BFI IMAX, which shows films in IMAX 70mm on what the site describes as the UK's biggest screen. Event listings include director talks and Q&As alongside regular film screenings, and each listing links to a detail page with booking information. The site is most useful if you are planning a cinema visit in London or want to check what is showing before you travel.

What the site covers

BFI Southbank screenings

BFI Southbank is the BFI's main repertory cinema. According to the site, its four screens are open seven days a week and offer "the widest choice of great films." Programming leans toward curated seasons, restorations, and international cinema rather than new multiplex releases, so check the listings for the specific season or strand you want.

BFI IMAX screenings

The IMAX venue is presented as a premium large-format experience. The homepage highlights IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey on the UK's biggest screen. Large-format runs are often limited, so confirm dates and formats on the individual film page before planning around them.

Talks and live events

The site lists events beyond screenings, including on-stage conversations. One example is a Mike Leigh discussion of Bleak Moments at BFI Southbank, with more available on the BFI's YouTube channel. These events usually sell out faster than standard screenings, so book early if a specific talk matters to you.

How to find what's on

  1. Go to bfi.org.uk and open the Events section, or use the "What's on at BFI Southbank" link on the homepage.
  2. Filter or browse by venue (Southbank or IMAX) and by date.
  3. Open an individual listing to see the film or event description, venue, date, and time.
  4. Follow the booking link on the listing page to reserve seats. The site does not publish a single price list for screenings, so check the price shown on each listing.

Expected result: you end up on a specific listing with a date, venue, and booking option, rather than a general calendar.

What else the site offers

  • BFI Player: streaming of hand-picked films, advertised from £6.99 per month with a 14-day free trial. This is separate from cinema tickets.
  • Sight and Sound: the magazine's "Greatest Films of All Time" poll, published once a decade, is covered in a special issue with a subscription option.
  • Editorial: reviews, interviews, news, and "Where to begin" guides (for example, a beginner's guide to Billy Wilder) that pair well with repertory screenings.
  • Archive: the BFI National Archive collections are highlighted on the homepage, with archive-focused news such as preservation work on Frankenstein.
  • Email updates: a sign-up for UK-wide screening updates, useful if you want to hear about events in your area.

Common snags

  • Venue confusion: Southbank and IMAX are separate sites with separate listings. Check the venue on the listing before booking.
  • Limited runs: IMAX 70mm and one-off talks have short windows. If a date is fixed, book when listings go live.
  • Streaming vs. cinema: the £6.99 per month figure applies to BFI Player, not to tickets. Do not assume it covers screenings.
  • Prices vary: the site does not show a general ticket price, so confirm the cost on the specific event page.

If your goal is a specific film format or a talk, start with the Events section and filter by venue; if you just want to see what is on this week, the Southbank "What's on" page is the fastest route.