BFI London Film Festival Announces Screen Talks with Sean Baker, Denis Villeneuve, Steve McQueen, and More

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British Film Institute’s London Film Festival annual Screen Talks returns with a star-studded lineup that includes Andrea Arnold (“American Honey,” “Bird”), Sean Baker (“The Florida Project,” “Anora”), Steve McQueen (“Occupied City,” “Blitz”), Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave,” “Black Panther”), Zoe Saldaña (“Avatar,” “Emilia Pérez”), and many more.

After featured Martin Scorsese, Andrew Haigh, and Lulu Wang spoke at the festival in 2023, this year’s crop of filmmakers represent the most highly-anticipated features on the 2024 festival circuit.

Sean Baker famously won the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2024 for “Anora,” which is an early Oscar frontrunner after IndieWire critic David Ehrlich praised the film for being a blend of “Uncut Gems” and “Pretty Woman.” At BFI, Baker will discuss his filmography including “Tangerine,” “The Florida Project,” and “Red Rocket.”

Steve McQueen, director of the LFF’s Opening Night Gala-selected film “Blitz,” will talk about his new film, alongside his work for the big and small screen, from “Hunger” and “12 Years a Slave” to “Widows,” “Small Axe,” and “Occupied City.”

McQueen collaborator Lupita Nyong’o, who won Best Actress for “12 Years a Slave” and recently starred in “A Quiet Place: Day One,” also will be in attendance.

Auteur Denis Villeneuve, who helmed “Dune 2” this year and may be in the works on a third installment, will share the journey of his career with BFI audiences.

Daniel Kaluuya will revisit his career ranging from “Skins” to Villeneuve’s “Sicario,” and his a star-making role in “Get Out,” plus fellow Oscar-winning features “Black Panther” and “Judas and the Black Messiah.” His feature filmmaking debut “The Kitchen” (which closed the LFF in 2023) will also be part of the discussion of being an actor turned director.

Andrea Arnold, who recently debuted “Bird” at Cannes, additionally will share her experiences on past features “Wasp,” “Fish Tank,” and “American Honey” and series “I Love Dick” and “Transparent.”

Mike Leigh, “Emilia Perez” star Zoe Saldaña, and “Free Solo” and “Nyad” co-directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin are also among the panelists.

The 68th BFI London Film Festival runs from Wednesday, October 9 to Sunday, October 20.

Check out the full lineup below.

Andrea Arnold

Saturday, October 19, 12:30pm — BFI Southbank NFT1

Sean Baker

Saturday, October 12, 1:30pm — Curzon Soho Screen 1

Daniel Kaluuya

Wednesday, October 9, 11:30am — Picturehouse Central

Mike Leigh

Sunday, October 20, 3:15pm — BFI Southbank NFT1

Steve McQueen

Wednesday, October 9, 2:00pm — BFI Southbank NFT1