The 57th BFI London Film Festival

It’s once again the build up to award season, and what better way to enjoy and celebrate the very best of film than at the BFI London Film Festival. 

Kick-starting the event in dramatic style is Paul Greengrass’ tense thriller Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks, in a dramatization of the events in 2009 when the US cargo ship MV Maersk Alabama was highjacked by Somali pirates, the first cargo seizure since the 19^th Century. Premiering at the New York Festival last month, its already received a fantastic response; a visual treat of great acting, superb cinematography and gripping direction.

In a double bill for Hanks, he will also be closing the festival with his portrayal as Walt Disney in the biographical Saving Mr Banks. Directed by John Lee Hancock (2009 Oscar nominated best picture The Blind Side) and also starring Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins creator P.L. Travers, it follows the events of Disney’s struggles to woo the difficult Travers to allow him to adapt her beloved book for the big screen.

Alfonso Cuaron’s inspiring and beautiful feature Gravity is one of the biggest draws of the festival this year, having already received great reviews and critical acclaim following its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. Starring a double fest of Oscar winning talent, it sees George Clooney (a regular London Film Festival alumni) and Sandra Bullock working as two surviving astronauts on a space shuttle that has lost contact with mission control. Expect a great deal of buzz come award season from this extraordinary and moving film.

Based on the 1853 autobiography by Solomon Northup (who himself was kidnapped and sold into slavery), Steve McQueen’s rich drama 12 Years a Slave bravely tackles the on-going depictions of slave trade. With an epic cast lead by Chiwetel Ejiofor and including Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti and Brad Pitt, its one not to miss.

Other hot projects include the Coen Brothers latest drama Inside Llewyn Davis, starring Carey Mulligan alongside Justin Timberlake and Oscar Isaac. Kate Winslet takes the lead in Jason Reitman’s adaptation of Joyce Maynards novel Labor Day. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe continues his onscreen transition from child actor in one of the biggest franchises of all time into a young actor of depth and talent in Kill Your Darlings. The Invisible Woman sees Ralph Fiennes step into a different role as he takes on both directing and starring in the Charles Dickens biopic, which follows the events of the great writer's relationship with a young actress called Nelly.

Showcasing the very best of cinema from around the world, this year the quality and standard of films on show are as spectacular and diverse as ever as we are treated to 235 features from over 50 countries.

The 57^th BFI London Film Festival opens on the 9^th October and runs until 20^th October. Grab the chance to see some extraordinary films this autumn and pop over to the BFI website to reserve your tickets. Don’t miss out.  http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff