BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum 2026: A Key Meeting Point for Film Professionals

The BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum 2026 brings together filmmakers, producers, screen professionals, industry leaders and members of the press for a programme of screenings, panel discussions, keynote conversations and networking opportunities. Taking place alongside the BFI London Film Festival from 7 to 18 October 2026, the forum provides a platform for creative exchange, professional development and collaboration across the UK and international screen industries.

Hosted by the British Film Institute (BFI), the Industry Forum is designed for professionals working across film and the wider screen sectors who want to connect with industry peers, discover emerging talent and explore the creative and commercial challenges shaping the future of cinema.

What to Expect at the Industry Forum

The Industry Forum combines professional screenings with conversations, curated talent programmes and networking events. Its programme encourages collaboration between filmmakers, producers, writers, distributors and other industry professionals, while creating opportunities to exchange ideas and develop new partnerships.

The 2026 programme includes a range of conversations and discussions covering filmmaking, storytelling, production and audience engagement. Highlights include a spotlight conversation with award-winning producer James Wilson, a discussion with Pippa Harris, co-founder of Neal Street Productions, and a conversation between journalist Matt Belloni and filmmaker Danny Boyle.

Other sessions explore cinema programming and audience behaviour, costume design, emerging screenwriters, UK co-productions and the use of archives in documentary filmmaking. Together, these events offer insights into the creative processes and professional relationships that help bring screen projects to life.

The programme also includes networking opportunities, such as speed networking and industry gatherings, alongside curated initiatives including writers’ roundtables and works-in-progress showcases.

Who Should Attend?

The Industry Forum is aimed at UK and international professionals working in film and the wider screen industries. It is particularly relevant to:

• Filmmakers, directors and screenwriters.

• Producers and production company representatives.

• Film distributors, sales agents and exhibitors.

• Professionals working in film festivals and cinema programming.

• Documentary filmmakers and creative practitioners.

• Emerging talent seeking to build industry connections.

• Journalists, critics and other media professionals covering film and screen culture.

The BFI offers different accreditation routes depending on applicants’ professional roles and interests. Dedicated press accreditation is intended for journalists and media professionals actively reporting on or reviewing the film industry.

The festival also offers the LFF Expanded Industry Day for professionals working in immersive storytelling, extended reality (XR), gaming and related screen industries.

How to Register for the BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum

Registration is managed through the BFI’s official website. Applicants should choose the accreditation category that best matches their professional activity and review the relevant eligibility criteria before applying.

1. Visit the official Industry Forum page

Start by visiting the BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum website. This page provides an overview of the programme, accreditation options and links to the relevant application pages.

2. Choose the appropriate pass

The main accreditation options include:

• Industry pass: For filmmakers and professionals working in film and the wider screen sectors. Benefits include access to industry and press screenings during the festival, industry talks and networking events, a digital viewing library and the delegate directory.

• Industry+ pass: Includes the Industry pass benefits, plus access to pre-festival screenings and additional screening-related benefits.

• Online pass: Available to UK-based delegates, providing access to the digital viewing library and delegate directory.

• Press pass: Designed for professional journalists, critics and media representatives covering the film and wider screen industries.

• LFF Expanded Industry Day pass: Intended for professionals in immersive, XR and gaming, as well as relevant practitioners from the wider screen industry.

3. Prepare your supporting documents

Applicants for industry accreditation should be ready to provide evidence of their recent professional activity. This may include a CV, a professional website or portfolio, a LinkedIn profile, or an IMDb profile showing relevant credits and dates.

A clear, recognisable headshot is also required. The BFI specifies a square image measuring 600 × 600 pixels, with a maximum file size of 5 MB.

Press applicants must provide at least two examples of professional film or screen-sector coverage from the last two years, subject to the BFI’s published eligibility criteria.

4. Submit your application and pay the fee

Follow the registration link for your chosen pass and complete the application process. Applicants should check the applicable fee and payment deadline carefully. Industry accreditation is subject to eligibility requirements and availability, and submitting an application does not automatically guarantee approval.

Registration Fees and Availability

The BFI's published 2026 prices are as follows:

• Industry pass: £250 at the late-registration rate.

• Industry+ pass: £300 at the late-registration rate.

• Online pass: £85, for UK delegates only.

• Press pass: £52 at the published standard rate.

• LFF Expanded Industry Day pass: £55.

These prices are based on the BFI's published accreditation information. Importantly, the BFI states that applications for press passes and the LFF Expanded Industry Day are now closed. The Industry and Industry+ pages continue to provide registration links, while availability remains subject to the BFI's current registration system.

As the festival is already underway, prospective delegates should check the official pages directly to confirm whether applications are still being accepted for the remaining festival dates.

Why the Industry Forum Matters

Beyond its programme of screenings and discussions, the Industry Forum offers an opportunity to strengthen professional networks and gain insight into developments across the screen industries. For independent filmmakers and emerging producers, it can be a valuable setting for meeting potential collaborators, understanding industry practices and discovering new approaches to developing and presenting projects.

For established professionals, the programme provides opportunities to exchange perspectives on production, distribution, audience engagement and the evolving relationship between creative ambition and commercial sustainability.

The forum's combination of industry conversations, talent-focused initiatives and networking reflects the BFI London Film Festival's broader role in supporting the film community and encouraging creative collaboration.

Find Out More and Register

The BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum 2026 takes place as part of the festival running from 7 to 18 October 2026, with the published Industry Forum programme highlights scheduled from 8 to 13 October at Picturehouse Central in London.

For full programme details, eligibility requirements, registration links and the latest information about pass availability, visit the official BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum page.

Please note: Accreditation is subject to the BFI's eligibility criteria, fees and availability. Check the relevant registration page before making plans to attend.