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From Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Diana to the hugely anticipated return of a fan-favourite TV show, the London Film Festival is back as cinemas are filling up once again.

Hot on the heels of the release of the latest James Bond film No Time To Die, which has smashed box office records, the prestigious film festival returns with physical, in-person premieres and red carpets, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced last year’s event online.

After months of cinemas being closed, Tricia Tuttle, director of BFI Festivals, which organises the flagship event, says it is an exciting time for the industry.

Cast member Daniel Craig poses during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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No Time To Die, which premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in September, has broken box office records

“Bond has just come out and at the festival we’re going to be 100% capacity – with COVID safety protocols, of course,” she tells Sky News. “Audiences have shown willingness to go back to theatre and people are interested in these big, large-scale live events again.

“There is something incredible that happens when you sit in a dark, packed cinema. It really transforms the work and I can’t wait for our audience at the festival to have that experience this year.”

While the industry continues to find its feet with new filming protocols, the festival promises to wow film lovers with its line-up of more than 150 movies, 21 of which will be world premieres – as well as the return of a huge TV show.

Sky News has collated a list of things to watch out for during the festival, which starts on Wednesday.

British film fans will get their first glimpse of Kristen Stewart as Diana, Princess Of Wales in Spencer

Kristen Stewart is the latest actress to take on the role of Diana, Princess Of Wales. Pic: Topic Studios
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Kristen Stewart is the latest actress to take on the role of Diana, Princess Of Wales. Pic: Topic Studios

Arguably one of the most anticipated films of the year, Spencer will get its British unveiling at the festival.

The latest depiction of the people’s princess has been made by Chilean director Pablo Larrain and is set at the Sandringham Estate over the course of a Christmas weekend in the early 90s.

It will look at what could have happened over those days, as her marriage to Prince Charles stalled – but she was still required to be involved with the Royal Family.

It got rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival, with Kristen Stewart in particular winning praise.

It screens on the 7, 8 and 17 October at the Royal Festival Hall.

King Richard – the new Will Smith drama about the Williams tennis sisters

Will Smith leads in King Richard. Pic: Warner Bros
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Will Smith leads in King Richard. Pic: Warner Bros

It got its world premiere at Telluride festival in the US last week, but European film buffs will get their first look at the latest Will Smith film.

King Richard is based on the true story of the Williams sisters‘ rise to stardom, told from the perspective of their father Richard.

It’s already got “Oscars buzz” (read: critics reckon Smith might get a look in at the Oscars for it) and those who have already seen it reckon it’s a good film.

It screens at the Royal Festival Hall on 15 and 16 October.

Wes Anderson’s new film – The French Dispatch

Wes Anderson, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Benicio and Alexandre Desplat pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'The French Dispatch' at the 74th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Monday, July 12, 2021. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
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Wes Anderson (left) and some of the cast of The French Dispatch. Pic: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

The film world absolutely loves a Wes Anderson film – which are known for being colourful, quirky and distinct.

His latest effort, The French Dispatch, is no different, having been described as a “love letter to journalists” (Thanks, Wes – we love you too), it stars one of the busiest men in Hollywood at the moment, Timothee Chalamet, as well as ensemble cast featuring comedian Bill Murray, Doctor Strange star Tilda Swinton, and Loki actor Owen Wilson.

It follows the the French foreign bureau of a fictional Kansas newspaper as it creates its final issue.

As you would expect, it’s already had plenty of praise heaped on it since it had its Cannes premiere, so expect screenings to be pretty busy.

It screens at the Royal Festival Hall on the 10, 11 and 13 of October.

Starry Shakespeare is closing the festival

The Tragedy Of Macbeth will close the festival. Pic: Apple TV+
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The Tragedy Of Macbeth will close the festival. Pic: Apple TV+

The Tragedy of Macbeth, a new version of the classic Shakespeare play, will close the festival on 17 October.

We’ve seen a lot of big screen Shakespeare adaptations throughout the years, with this latest one starring two Oscar-winning actors – Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand – in the lead roles.

It’s in black and white, and has an exciting, ethnically diverse cast, including the likes of In The Heights star Corey Hawkins, Irish acting royalty Brendan Gleeson and the rough-voiced northern Game Of Thrones actor Ralph Ineson.

Joel Coen (one of the Coen Brothers – Hollywood’s power-siblings) is in the directing chair for this one, and reviews are yet to come out, because it doesn’t get a screening until later in October at the New York Film Festival.

One fans have been waiting for – season three of Succession

David Rasche in Succession season two. Pic: HBO
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David Rasche in Succession season two. Pic: HBO

But hold on – this is a film festival?

Yes, it is, but with the line between film and TV blurring every year, it feels right to include the blockbusting show at the festival.

The first two episodes of the third season of Peep Show writer Jesse Armstrong’s comedy-drama will screen at the event before it hits Sky later in the year.

Two noteworthy Westerns

Idris Elba during a photo call for Luther series 5, at the Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 11th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/PA Wire
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A new Idris Elba western will open the festival

This year’s festival will open with the world premiere of The Harder They Fall, inspired by the real African-American cowboys whose stories are rarely told.

It’s a first feature from director Jeymes Samuel but the experienced cast includes Idris Elba, Regina King, Jonathan Majors and Delroy Lindo.

Later in the festival The Power of the Dog, from director Jane Campion (the first and only female director to ever win Canne’s Palme d’Or for The Piano back in 1993 – you’re welcome festival trivia fans!), will tell the story of two rich brothers running a ranch on the edge of a frontier town.

The film premiered to very favourable reviews in Venice last week, with Benedict Cumberbatch being tipped for the awards race for his performance in the drama, which also stars Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons.

Directorial debuts

Olivia Colman. Pic: Jennifer Bloc/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
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Olivia Colman will be featuring in The Lost Daughter To London. Pic: Jennifer Bloc/Geisler-Fotopress/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

First timers are certainly welcome at LFF with one of the prizes going to the most original and imaginative debut, but there are two we wanted to highlight.

Maggie Gyllenhaal will bring her adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s The Lost Daughter to London, starring Olivia Colman as a woman who while on holiday becomes obsessed with another woman and her daughter. The supporting cast includes Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.

Elsewhere Sadie Frost is turning her hand to documentary with Quant about the fashion designer Mary Quant.

She told Sky News she’s thrilled her film’s been included as it’s been a massive undertaking: “I got an opportunity to direct and even though I’ve done short films before I’ve never actually directed a feature-length documentary and the responsibility of that is huge, but I threw myself in to it and I’ve gone back and done a masters in film studies and a directing course at Raindance.”

Family fun from a British studio for a British festival

Ron's Gone Wrong is the first film from British studio Locksmith. Pic: Locksmith
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Ron’s Gone Wrong is the first film from British studio Locksmith. Pic: Locksmith

Ron’s Gone Wrong is the first film from British animation studio Locksmith and explores what happens when Artificial Intelligence has a mind of its own.

It’s directed by Jean-Philippe Vine and Sarah Smith who told Sky News how exciting it was to be included on this year’s line-up: “We were delighted because to have the opportunity to have a big UK event, it’s a UK studio and we’re super proud of that, and the London Film Festival is unbelievably vibrant – who could not be proud of this country in terms of films when you see the London Film Festival”.

Watching films in augmented reality

China

As if the mere idea of watching a film in a cinema with other people isn’t exciting enough after the last 18 months, there’s also plenty on offer for those wanting a new way to experience storytelling.

This year’s expanded programme at LFF has, well, expanded – the idea is to showcase different mediums so expect Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, immersive audio and more as the festival looks to highlight work that doesn’t come under the traditional ‘film’ heading.

The London Film Festival becomes less London-centric!

It might be called the London Film Festival but that doesn’t mean you have to be in the capital to get involved.

After last year’s event was forced to be virtual, organisers were pleased with how going online increased accessibility and as well as a virtual offering this year, partner cinemas across the UK will also show a selection of festival films.

The BFI London Film Festival runs from 6 to 17 October

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Kate Nash says selling photos of her bum on OnlyFans paid for an extra tour crew member

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Kate Nash says selling photos of her bum on OnlyFans paid for an extra tour crew member

Kate Nash says selling photos of her bottom on the X-rated site OnlyFans has allowed her to add an extra crew member to her tour staff.

The 37-year-old singer says the fact she is having to subsidise her shows in this way shows that the music industry is “completely broken”.

She announced she was launching her OnlyFans account last week as she began the UK leg of her tour, and has previously said on Instagram that, “touring makes losses not profits”.

Speaking about her new venture to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she said it was “very funny” and “fun to do,” adding, “My industry is completely broken, I don’t think it’s sustainable, and I think it’s a complete failure, I think it will collapse as well”.

Going on to talk about “people finding solutions to fund their art,” she said: “I think it’s quite empowering, and I’m also creating jobs with my bum now.

“For example, I couldn’t bring a crew member that’s on tour with me in the UK to Europe, but now I can, because of my OnlyFans website.”

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She has previously described the career move as a “punk protest,” containing “lots of comedy”.

Speaking to LBC last week, she said: “The cost of touring has gone up. Just like the cost of living crisis, there’s a cost-of-touring crisis – where the cost of travel, accommodation, crew wages, bus rental, all the things that you need to pay for when you go on tour, everything’s gone up.

“But a lot of bands’ and artists’ fees for gigs have not gone up, whereas ticket prices have gone up.”

Nash also said music was an “exploitative industry,” adding, “I have had lots of experience of being exploited”.

She said it could “learn a lot from the sex industry”.

Beginning her career in 2005, Nash has had one UK top 10 single – 2007’s Foundations – and two UK top 10 albums.

She has just finished a three-week US tour and is now touring the UK before moving on to Europe. Her London gig later this week is sold out.

And Nash isn’t the only one branching out to bring in cash. Lily Allen said earlier this year that she had joined OnlyFans to sell photographs of her feet.

The 39-year-old Smile singer, who moved to the US in 2020, says she has “very strict guidelines” and is charging subscribers $10 (£8) a month to view images of her feet on the platform.

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Davina McCall says she has short-term memory problems after brain tumour surgery

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Davina McCall says she has short-term memory problems after brain tumour surgery

Davina McCall has said her short-term memory is “a bit remiss” as she recovers from brain tumour surgery.

Speaking from her bed, the visibly emotional TV presenter posted a short video updating her Instagram followers on her condition, saying it had been a “mad” time.

She expressed an “enormous heartfelt thank you” to people who had messaged her after she revealed this month she had a benign brain tumour, a colloid cyst, which she described as “very rare”.

Looking bright, but with a visibly bruised left eye, McCall said: “My short-term memory is a bit remiss.

“But that is something I can work on, so I’m really happy about that. I’m writing everything down, to keep myself feeling safe.”

She added: “It’s been mad, and it’s just really nice to be back home, I’m on the other side.”

In a message posted with the video, she reiterated her thanks for all the support she has received, adding: “Had a great night’s sleep in my own bed. Have a couple of sleeps during the day which keeps my brain clear… Slowly, slowly…”

When she first shared her diagnosis, she said chances of having it were “three in a million” and that she had discovered it several months previously after a company offered her a health scan in return for giving a menopause talk.

The 57-year-old star said support from her fans had “meant the world”.

She said she was being “brilliantly looked after” by her partner, hairdresser Michael Douglas, and her stepmother, Gabby, who she calls mum.

Becoming tearful, the presenter said: “I’d quickly like to say big up the stepmums. I don’t really say thank you to Gabby enough. She’s been an amazing rock my whole life.”

McCall was estranged from her birth mother, Florence McCall, who died in 2008.

Kate coming out of the Big Brother house in 2002
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McCall with 2002 Big Brother winner Kate Lawler. Pic: Rex Features

With a catch in her voice, McCall went on: “I’ve got a massive dose of vitamin G – I’m just really grateful. I’ve always been really lucky in my life, but I feel unbelievably grateful right now. So, thanks for everything, all of you.

“I’m on the mend, I’m resting and sleeping loads and I feel really good. I’m just very lucky.”

Stars including presenter Alison Hammond, singer Craig David and radio host Zoe Ball quickly shared their delight at the positive update.

McCall rose to fame presenting on MTV in the mid-1990s, and later on Channel 4’s Streetmate, before becoming a household name as the host of Big Brother from 2000 to 2010.

Davina McCall  with her partner Michael Douglas and her daughter Holly Robertson after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire
Pic: PA
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McCall with her MBE, alongside her partner Michael Douglas and her daughter Holly Robertson. Pic: PA

She’s gone on to present programmes across the networks, the most recent being ITV dating show My Mum, Your Dad.

Last year, McCall was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.

Married twice, McCall has three children, two daughters and a son, with her second husband, presenter Matthew Robertson.

She has lived with Douglas since 2022, and they present a weekly lifestyle podcast together, Making The Cut.

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Barbara Taylor Bradford, the ‘grand dame of blockbusters’, dies aged 91

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Barbara Taylor Bradford, the 'grand dame of blockbusters', dies aged 91

Barbara Taylor Bradford, the bestselling novelist who wrote A Woman Of Substance, has died at the age of 91.

The Leeds-born author, who sold more than 90 million books, died peacefully at her home on Sunday after a short illness and was “surrounded by loved ones to the very end”, a spokeswoman said.

Taylor Bradford, who was often labelled “the grand dame of blockbusters”, hit the big time when A Woman Of Substance was published in 1979, making her an overnight success.

The story sold millions of copies and traced the journey of Emma Harte from life as a servant in rural Yorkshire to heading a business empire.

The rags to riches story was followed by many other successful books with the author’s works being published in more than 40 languages across 90 countries.

Barbara Taylor Bradford,.
Pic: Caroll Taveras/Bradford Enterprises/PA
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Pic: Caroll Taveras/Bradford Enterprises/PA

Barbara Taylor Bradford on her 21st birthday.
Pic: Bradford Enterprises/PA
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The author on her 21st birthday. Pic: Bradford Enterprises/PA

Charlie Redmayne, chief executive of publisher HarperCollins, said the author was a “natural storyteller”, adding: “Barbara Taylor Bradford was a truly exceptional writer whose first book, the international bestseller A Woman Of Substance, changed the lives of so many who read it – and still does to this day.”

Taylor Bradford, who was made an OBE in 2007 for services to literature, wrote a total of 40 novels during her career – her most recent was The Wonder Of It All, published last year.

Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Pic: Caroll Taveras/Bradford Enterprises/PA
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Pic: Caroll Taveras/Bradford Enterprises/PA

File photo dated 01/06/93 of Barbara Taylor Bradford with her husband Robert at Claridges Hotel, London, during a visit to launch her new blockbuster book "Angels". Bestselling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford, who wrote A Woman of Substance, has died at the age of 91, it has been announced. Issue date: Monday November 25, 2024.
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Taylor Bradford with her husband Robert in 1993. Pic: PA

Born in May 1933 as the only child of Winston and Freda Taylor, she worked as a typist for the Yorkshire Evening Post before becoming a reporter and then the paper’s first woman’s editor.

At the age of 20, she moved to London and worked in Fleet Street for Woman’s Own and the London Evening News.

She met her husband, American film producer Robert Bradford, in 1961 and they married in London on Christmas Eve in 1963 before moving to New York the following year.

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The couple were married for 55 years until he died from a stroke in 2019.

Following a private funeral in New York, the author will be buried alongside her late husband at the city’s Westchester Hills Cemetery.

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