Written by Kianna Best on Aug 8, 2023. Posted in Awards and Festivals / Production News

67th BFI London Film Festival to open with Saltburn

The 67^th BFI London Film Festival, which will be held from 4 to 15 October announced yesterday their selection for this year’s opening gala. Taking to the screen will be Academy Award winner Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn. The mid-2000’s set film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan.

“I’m honoured that our film is able to open this year’s BFI London Film Festival,” said Fennell. “It is a festival that inspired me so much growing up, one that I followed excitedly from my bedroom on the other side of London. It feels extra-special that Saltburn, this very British tale of excess, is able to make its international debut at the wonderful BFI.”

Filmed across the UK, Saltburn follows Oxford University student Oliver Quick, played by Barry struggling to find his place. In the midst of it all he meets the charming Felix Catton played by Elordi who invites him to Saltburn, a sprawling family home, for the Summer. The newly selected filmed will open up Kristy Matheson’s first festival as BFI festivals director.

Matheson said: “As soon as the credits rolled on Saltburn it was clear we’d met our opening night film. Academy Award winner Emerald Fennell returns with an expertly crafted and exhilarating thrill ride of a film that showcases an enormous depth of UK talents in front of and behind the camera. With its exceptional performances, delicious plot twists and a soundtrack of early 21st century pop bangers, this hugely ambitious film immediately stole our hearts and we can’t wait to share it with audiences in London and across the UK this October.”

The film will be making its international premiere on Wednesday 4 October at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall with Amazon Studios and MGM releasing the MRC and LuckyChap Entertainment produced feature in cinemas on 24 November.

Images courtesy of Amazon Studios