The 2026 BFI London Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Elsinore, a powerful new Shakespeare drama starring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman. The film will debut on October 7 at the Royal Festival Hall, marking a homecoming for this quintessentially London story.
Plot and Cast
Directed by Simon Stone (The Dig) and written by Stephen Beresford (Pride), Elsinore follows the life of Scottish actor Ian Charleson as he prepares to play Hamlet at the National Theatre in 1974. At the same time, the Chariots of Fire star was battling late-stage HIV, and his story helped change public perceptions of the illness. The film's cast also includes Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Juliet Stevenson, Joe Locke, Adeel Akhtar, Matthew Beard, and Peter Mullan.
Director's Statement
Director Simon Stone expressed his pride in presenting the film at the festival: 'We couldn't be prouder to be able to present this quintessentially London film on the opening night of the BFI London Film Festival. Ian Charleson had many of his greatest triumphs on the stages of the West End, at the Young Vic and of course the National, where he ended his short but dazzling career playing an unforgettable Hamlet. We are so lucky to have Andrew Scott, a London Hamlet himself, breathing delicate inspiring life into this beautiful story. I can't wait to share it with the hometown audience!'
Festival Director's Comments
Festival director Kristy Matheson praised the film: 'Anchored by Andrew Scott's astounding performance, few films will leave a lasting imprint on audiences this year quite like Elsinore. We could not be prouder to open the [festival] with… a film that centres community, resistance and the triumph of art.'
Festival Details
The 70th BFI London Festival runs from October 7 to 18. Tickets go on sale to the general public from 10am on September 16 via the official festival website. Elsinore will be released in UK cinemas on January 29, 2027, and in US theaters from November 20 this year.
