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Articles by Lily Ford
Jesse Eisenberg Relives Kieran Culkin Woes Making ‘A Real Pain’ and Says His Next Project Is a TV Show
Jesse Eisenberg at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 18, 2026 Courtesy of Getty Jesse Eisenberg continues to tread the festival circuit with his musical comedy The Debut, and on Sunday afternoon was wildly entertaining at a high-energy Screen Talk event ahead of his film’s closing the BFI London Film Festival.
London Film Festival’s Surprise Movie Is… ‘I Play Rocky’ Original
Anthony Ippolito stars as Sylvester Stallone in 'I Play Rocky.' Claire Folger/Amazon Content Services The audience guessing game at the BFI London Film Festival is officially over. The fest’s 2026 surprise film, screening at the British capital’s Royal Festival Hall — as has become tradition — is Peter Farrelly’s I Play Rocky with up-and-coming star Anthony Ippolito.
Prepare to Fall in Love With ‘Sense and Sensibility’ Star Herbert Nordrum Original
Herbert Nordrum is not too dissimilar from Colonel Brandon. Photographer: Rachell Smith Herbert Nordrum chooses the funniest — and, ironically, maybe most British — possible allegory when describing his involvement in Georgia Oakley’s Sense and Sensibility. “It feels like I’ve been dropped in the national English football team,” the Norwegian tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Russell Brand Accuser Says Alleged Rape Left Her Feeling “Dirty” and in Fear She Was Pregnant
Brand arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Oct. 15, 2026 Courtesy of Getty The first complainant in Russell Brand‘s rape trial gave evidence on Thursday, a day after the prosecution described the ex-actor as a “ruthless” and “calculated” sexual predator in its opening remarks. As a reminder, Brand is accused of three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, with six women alleging crimes dating from 1999 to 2009. He denies all of the claims.
“It Was Unpitchable”: How ‘Wicker’ Became the Horniest, Most Tender Film of the Year
Alexander Skarsgard and Olivia Colman in 'Wicker' Everett Collection If you’re online, Wicker, a fantasy rom-com focused on an ostracized fisherwoman who enjoys many a noisy night with her wicker husband, will ring a bell. From directors, co-writers and real-life married couple Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer, the feature has taken on a life of its own since social media and the meme-spawning corner of the internet happened upon this intimately made indie. And can you blame them?
Jessie Buckley and Gwendoline Christie Headline a Buoyant BFI & Chanel Filmmakers Awards Original
(L-R): Rich Felgate, Olive Nwosu, Gwendoline Christie, Jessie Buckley, Imran Perretta, Rachel Taparjan at Claridge's, Oct. 14, 2026. James D. Kelly Oscar-winning actress Jessie Buckley and Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie handed out this year’s BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards during an opulent ceremony at London’s Claridge’s Hotel on Wednesday.
“Ruthless, Sexual Predator”: Russell Brand Rape Allegations Detailed as Prosecution Opens Case Original
Russell Brand arriving at Southwark Crown Court on Oct. 14, 2026. Courtesy of Getty Russell Brand‘s rape trial is officially underway at London’s Southwark Crown Court, with the prosecution describing the disgraced actor and comedian as a “ruthless” and “calculated” sexual predator. Eight men and four women are serving on the jury, the selection of which took place on Monday and Tuesday this week.
‘Behemoth!’ Wouldn’t Have Been Possible Without ‘Andor’ Success, Says Tony Gilroy
Gilroy, Pascal, Eva Victor and Alexa Swinton at the BFI London Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Tony Gilroy and Pedro Pascal have hit the BFI London Film Festival, and the director believes he wouldn’t be here without the success of Andor. Gilroy, of the Bourne franchise and Rogue One fame, was the creator, showrunner and executive producer on the Star Wars prequel’s spinoff series from 2022 to 2025 at Disney+.
'Ink' finally hits its native UK audience at London Film Festival
Ink has hit London. Danny Boyle and his starry cast, led by Jack O'Connell and Guy Pearce, took to the BFI London Film Festival carpet for the U.K. premiere on Monday night, around a month after it opened the Venice Film Festival. "I expect the difference to be palpable," began O'Connell, star of Sinners and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple , to The Hollywood Reporter about finally putting Ink in front of its native audience. "It's a London film.
‘Ink’ Finally Meets Its Native Audience at London Film Festival, and Jack O’Connell Has Thoughts
Danny Boyle, Guy Pearce, Jack O'Connell at BFI London Film Festival's 'Ink' premiere. Courtesy of Getty Ink has hit London. Danny Boyle and his starry cast, led by Jack O’Connell and Guy Pearce, took to the BFI London Film Festival carpet for the U.K. premiere on Monday night, around a month after it opened the Venice Film Festival.
‘Beatles’ Films Release Details: A Mega-Month of Movie-Going, Producers Hope Original
Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney in Sony's Beatles biopics. Courtesy of Sony More intel on Sony‘s distribution plan for Sam Mendes‘ hotly anticipated Beatles films has arrived. Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan will play Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, respectively, with the four features currently slated to release a week apart in the same month in 2028.
Russell Brand Arrives at London Court for Start of Rape Trial
Russell Brand arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Oct. 12, 2026 Courtesy of Getty Russell Brand arrived at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Monday for the start of his rape and sexual assault trial. It begins with jury selection and could last up to 10 weeks, according to British reports, which also confirmed the heavy presence of media around the venue.
Quentin Tarantino’s West End Debut ‘The Popinjay Cavalier’ Sets Launch Date at Phoenix Theatre Original
'The Popinjay Cavalier' Poster artwork by James Paterson Quentin Tarantino‘s West End debut has set a date. The Popinjay Cavalier, from Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions, will open at the Phoenix Theatre on Mar. 18, 2027, with previews from Feb. 23 and booking until June 13. Tickets go on sale Monday, starting at £25 ($33).
Javier Bardem on Declining ‘Skyfall’ Role, Pitching to Sam Mendes: “What If He Wants to Have Sex With Mr. Bond?” Original
Bardem at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 11, 2026 Courtesy of Getty Spanish star Javier Bardem thanked a BFI London Film Festival crowd for getting out early on Sunday morning to attend a Screen Talk session with him.
John Malkovich Says an Oscars Campaign “Is the Only Way to Get People to Go to the Theaters Now”
John Malkovich at the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 9, 2026 Courtesy of Getty John Malkovich is well aware of his current awards momentum, even if the “onslaught” of attention doesn’t quite suit his “native personality.” The U.S. star has hit the festival circuit with Martin McDonagh’s tragicomedy Wild Horse Nine, his performance in which is being hailed as potentially the best of his career and almost certainly an Oscar nomination lock.
John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell Buddy Up for London Film Festival Premiere of ‘Wild Horse Nine’ Original
The 'Wild Horse Nine' cast hits the London Film Festival. Courtesy of Getty John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell were a perfect double act at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of Wild Horse Nine Friday night. The pair livened up a British audience with a well-received screening of the film at the city’s Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank, though both actors declined to talk to too many reporters on the carpet.
U.K. Box Office Back to Full Health — But What Lessons Do We Learn?
Director Christopher Nolan on the set of his film 'The Odyssey,' written, produced and directed by Nolan. Universal Pictures It really is the year of original voices at the box office. Cinema-going in the U.K. and Ireland is currently up 21 percent on 2025. “We haven’t had year-on-year growth like that since the pandemic,” began Charles Gant, Screen International‘s box office editor, who was hosting a BFI London Film Festival Industry Forum session with cinema programmers on Thursday morning.
Sofia Coppola Plans Return to Narrative Film, But Has Her Late Mother’s ‘Making Marie Antoinette’ to See Off First
Sofia Coppola at the 70th BFI London Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Sofia Coppola spoke tenderly about her late mother and their family’s film legacy at a BFI London Film Festival session on Thursday afternoon. The Oscar winner, best known for directing The Virgin Suicides (1999), Lost in Translation (2003) and Marie Antoinette (2006), admitted she couldn’t have made the latter without the awards success of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson’s Tokyo-set genre mash-up.
Andrew Scott Welcomes ‘Heated Rivalry,’ But Feels “Troubled” by Those Who “Don’t Want to See” Painful Queer History Original
Andrew Scott at BFI London Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Hot on the heels of the European premiere of Elsinore, lead actor — and definitive awards frontrunner — Andrew Scott sat down for a career-spanning conversation at London’s BFI Southbank Thursday afternoon. Scott’s tearjerker opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival Wednesday night, as the Irishman was joined by co-stars Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson and Joe Locke on the red carpet.
‘The Altruists’: Anthony Boyle’s Sam Bankman-Fried Caught in Crypto Crisis in Netflix Series Trailer
Anthony Boyle and Julia Garner as Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison in 'The Altruists' Courtesy of Netflix Anthony Boyle is almost unrecognizable in his latest role as the bushy-haired American Sam Bankman-Fried. Netflix has dropped the official trailer for The Altruists, in which the Northern Irishman and Julia Garner star as central figures involved in the rise and fall of cryptocurrency exchange FTX: Bankman-Fried and his partner-in-crime, Caroline Ellison.
An Emotional Andrew Scott and ‘Elsinore’ Kick Off a Starry 2026 London Film Festival Original
Olivia Colman, Andrew Scott at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman and the cast of Elsinore have officially kicked off the 2026 BFI London Film Festival, and the opener couldn’t have been more fitting.
‘The Louis Theroux Podcast’ to Double Spotify Output, Unveils Season 9 Guests (Exclusive)
'The Louis Theroux Podcast' Carver PR Theroux fans, you’re in luck: The beloved documentarian is doubling his podcast output. The Hollywood Reporter can reveal that Spotify and Theroux’s Mindhouse Studios are set to release twice as many episodes of The Louis Theroux Podcast, with season nine launching Oct. 14 and new installments arriving weekly.
‘The Cadburys’: BritBox Drops First Look at Chocolate Empire Drama (Exclusive) Original
Toby Regbo in 'The Cadburys' Nicola Young, Courtesy of BritBox/UKTV The Hollywood Reporter can unveil first-look photos from BritBox‘s upcoming, sugar-sweet series, The Cadburys. The six-episode drama, launching on BritBox in North America and on U in the U.K. in 2027, follows the visionary Cadbury family, the underdogs of the cocoa world, on their journey towards creating the world-famous Cadbury’s chocolate bar.
American Filmmaker Sam Pollard to Head Up London Film Festival Official Competition Jury Original
BFI London Film Festival's 2026 jury presidents BFI London Film Festival Sam Pollard and Amir El-Masry are among those tapped to head up the BFI London Film Festival competition juries this year. Pollard will preside over the event’s official competition jury, which will select the winner of the best film award. His decades-spanning career includes Peabody and Emmy Awards, an Academy Award nomination and the International Documentary Association’s Career Achievement Award.
Greta Thunberg Hits the Zurich Film Festival — and Issues a Rallying Cry Original
Lamin, Thunberg, Wally and the 'My Home of Wind and Sand' team at the Zurich Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has thrown her weight behind the Zurich-premiering My Home of Wind and Sand, an important and affecting documentary following a young woman’s fight for her community’s independence. From Austrian filmmaker Patrick Wally, who shot the feature over a 10-year period, My Home of Wind and Sand is a portrait of Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin.
How Alex Schulman Convinced His “Public Enemy” Gustaf Skarsgård to Board Sweden’s Oscar Pick
From left: Linus Wahlgren, Fares Fares and Gustaf Skarsgard in 'Adult Supervision.' Zurich Film Festival It is equally as intriguing as it is concerning that so much of Alex Schulman’s debut feature, Adult Supervision, is inspired by real-life events. Like his protagonist, Bill, the first-time filmmaker — also a famed author, journalist and podcaster in his native Sweden — chaperoned a school trip to the Stockholm Archipelago in a bid to reconnect with his daughter.
With Harrowing Migrant Crisis Doc ‘Rescue,’ Director Sine Plambech Has Never Received So Much Hate Original
From left: Producer Elk Film’s Andreas Dalsgaard; editor Julieta Blanch; director Sine Plambech; editor Marion Tuor; co-writer Janus Metz at the European Premiere of 'Rescue' in Zurich Pascal Bovey Hot on the heels of its world premiere at TIFF, Danish filmmaker Sine Plambech’s harrowing migrant tale Rescue has given European audiences food for thought at the Zurich Film Festival this week.
‘SNL UK’ Season 2: All the Hosts and Musical Guests
Danny Dyer, James Norton and Cynthia Erivo will host 'SNL UK' next month. Michael Shelford/Getty Saturday Night Live UK is back on our screens. The second season kicked off on Saturday, Sept. 9 with host Jeff Goldblum and musical guest CMAT. It follows a well-received first season for SNL UK (a round-up of the reviews can be found here), which aired from March onwards earlier this year.
Richard Linklater Gives Major ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Update
Richard Linklater at the 2026 Zurich Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Upon accepting his career achievement award at an intimate Zurich Film Festival ceremony, beloved U.S. auteur Richard Linklater was swiftly asked for an update on his musical film, Merrily We Roll Along. Based on Stephen Sondheim’s 1981 show, Linklater’s movie is set to shoot over a 20-year period, similar to his Oscar-nominated Boyhood, with stars Paul Mescal, Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein aging in real time.
Italy’s Fandango Distribution Acquires Zurich Doc Jury President’s ‘Rescue’, RTS Joins as Broadcaster (Exclusive)
'Rescue' Troels N´Koya Jensen Italy’s Fandango Distribution has acquired Sine Plambech’s Rescue for all rights, including theatrical release, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) has come on board as a broadcaster, joining pre-sale partners DR, VPRO, SVT and NRK, in deals negotiated by Vienna-based Autlook Filmsales, which handles worldwide sales on the film.
Casey Affleck on Matt Damon Rivalry, a Chris Nolan Phone Call and Being a Proud “Hollywood Outsider”
Casey Affleck photographed in September 2026 Courtesy of Getty It was Casey Affleck‘s turn in the Zurich hot seat on Monday as the U.S. star spoke candidly at a masterclass before the Swiss film festival premiere of his third directorial feature, Company.
Anna Kendrick on 'Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and 'Twilight'
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Naomi Watts Praises Husband Billy Crudup for Backing Her Menopause Activism: “So Sweet — and Sexy” Original
Naomi Watts accepts Zurich's Golden Eye award on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Courtesy of Getty It felt like Naomi Watts covered it all in a Zurich Film Festival masterclass on Sunday afternoon: dreams, drama and, of course, the menopause. The British star opened up with host Max Loong about struggling for around a decade auditioning in Los Angeles before she would go on to meet David Lynch and star in his career-transforming Mulholland Drive.
Anna Kendrick Is “Over the Moon” About Directing ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’
Anna Kendrick at the 2026 Zurich Film Festival. Courtesy of Getty Anna Kendrick was in fine form Sunday afternoon as the U.S. star continues to traverse the festival circuit with Babies. At a Zurich Film Festival masterclass session, Kendrick took an adoring crowd through the early years of her career all the way to an Oscar nomination for Up in the Air, as well as stories from her time on Pitch Perfect, A Simple Favor, and her directorial debut, 2023’s Woman of the Hour.
John Turturro on Joining the Oscar Race — and ‘Severance’ Season 3 Original
John Turturro at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival Courtesy of Getty Hot on the heels of his Golden Eye award ceremony on Saturday night, John Turturro entertained another crowd at a Zurich Film Festival masterclass on Sunday. The Emmy-winning U.S. star has been recognized for his performance in Noah Segan’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, a project that is already garnering awards buzz.
Zurich Summit Game Changer Glen Basner and Edward Berger Reminisce on a Wild ‘Conclave’ Ride
Glen Basner and Edward Berger at the 2026 Zurich Summit. The Hollywood Reporter Quite the bromance unfolded on stage at the Zurich Film Festival Summit as Oscar-winning filmmaker Edward Berger held a session with FilmNation Entertainment founder and CEO Glen Basner, who is this year’s Game Changer award recipient.
Kane Parsons Recalls ‘Backrooms’ Trailer “Activated a Desire to See: How Did Hollywood Mess This Up?” Original
Kane Parsons photographed in 2026 Courtesy of Getty Twenty-one-year-old Kane Parsons is reflecting on a whirlwind summer in which the box office was undoubtedly bolstered by the release of his feature debut, Backrooms. Speaking with some of the industry’s top executives at the Zurich Film Festival Summit on Saturday afternoon, the young director spoke about the health of the 2026 box office, which has catapulted YouTube natives Parsons and Obsession‘s Curry Barker to the top of Hollywood.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer Doubles Down on YouTube Move: “You’ll See a Very Different-Looking Oscars” Original
Zurich Summit 2026 The Hollywood Reporter Does AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer feel as though they’re taking a risk by moving the awards ceremony to YouTube in 2029? “It almost feels risky not to do it,” said Kramer at the Zurich Film Festival Summit event on Saturday afternoon.
Julianne Moore Accepts Zurich’s Golden Icon Award — in German Original
Julianne Moore at the 2026 Zurich Film Festival. Courtesy of Getty What can’t Julianne Moore do? The U.S. actress accepted Zurich Film Festival‘s lifetime achievement honor, the Golden Icon Award, in perfect German on Friday night. She was joined at the ceremony by Jesse Eisenberg, who directs her in his latest feature The Debut, a musical-comedy co-starring Paul Giamatti, which is screening at the 22nd edition in Switzerland this week.
Zurich Film Festival Underway With Golden Eye Award for Tom Hiddleston Original
Tom Hiddleston collects his Golden Eye Award at the 2026 Zurich Film Festival. Courtesy of Getty The 2026 Zurich Film Festival is officially underway with a Golden Eye Award bestowed upon the ever-suave Tom Hiddleston. The event has opened with the European premiere of Hiddleston’s latest feature, Tenzing, which co-stars Willem Dafoe.
Jesse Eisenberg Used to Have “a Negative Opinion” of Acting: “They Pay Us Too Much, We’re Vain” Original
Jesse Eisenberg at the 2026 San Sebastian Film Festival Getty Images Spain Jesse Eisenberg regaled a room of journalists with brilliant — but slightly tragic — tidbits from his childhood and career while discussing his latest feature, The Debut.
Brad Pitt Says Indie Cinema “Feels as Strong as in the ’90s” Original
Brad Pitt hits the 2026 San Sebastian Film Festival. Getty Images Spain Ahead of what will likely be a rabid San Sebastian Film Festival premiere, Brad Pitt joined his Heart of the Beast director David Ayer for a press conference on Wednesday. Journalists and attendees swarmed the room at the town’s Kursaal Theater, where a jovial Pitt made his first San Sebastian appearance since the 2009 presentation of Inglourious Basterds alongside filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
MIP London Ends After 2 Years, Replaced by London Book Fair Event
MIP London in 2025 Courtesy of Getty After two years, MIP London has ended and is set to be replaced by a new two-day conference taking place during the London Book Fair. On Wednesday, RX France confirmed the launch of MIP Talks from Mar. 16-17, 2027.
BFI London Film Festival Unveils Full Industry Forum Lineup Original
Danny Boyle Courtesy of Getty The BFI has unveiled its full London Film Festival Industry Forum lineup, with new additions including Danny Boyle, costume designer PC Williams, and an event with international partners on successful co-productions such as Fjord and Paper Tiger, produced in association with The Hollywood Reporter.
Jordan Firstman Reflects on a Wild Cannes Bidding War for ‘Club Kid’: “You Choose the Fate of Your Life in a Day” Original
Jordan Firstman photographed at the 2026 San Sebastian Film Festival. Courtesy of Getty Jordan Firstman is reflecting on the whirlwind bidding war for his directorial debut and Cannes breakout, Club Kid. At an In Conversation event at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Tuesday — where Club Kid is screening — Firstman’s co-star (and former celebrity crush, as the filmmaker would later reveal) Diego Calva made a surprise appearance.
Mike Leigh Explains Why “It’s More Than Probable” That ‘Tender Loving Care’ Is His Final Film Original
Mike Leigh at TIFF 2026. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMDb Beloved British auteur Mike Leigh has explained to the San Sebastian Film Festival why it’s “more than probable” his latest drama-comedy, Tender Loving Care, will be his last. The filmmaker appeared via video link at a press conference for the competition title, alongside producer Georgina Lowe and cast members Alice Bailey Johnson, Paul Jesson and Marion Bailey, who is the mother of Bailey Johnson and Leigh’s real-life partner.
Red Sea Film Festival Cancels 2026 Edition, Vows to Return Next Year With “Renewed Vision”
Johnny Depp at the 2025 Red Sea Film Festival closing ceremony Courtesy of Getty The sixth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival has been postponed, the event’s Foundation has confirmed. A note released to press on Monday explains that this year’s installment, originally set for Dec. 3-12 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has been pushed back to the fourth quarter of 2027.
“It Fills Me With Pride”: How the Basque Country Is Nurturing Its Next Generation of Filmmakers Original
Nitya López Saitua on the set of 'Family Drill.' San Sebastián Film Festival It’s no longer a secret that Basque cinema is getting some overdue time in the spotlight. Thanks to an almighty production boom in the region, powered by a whopping 60 percent tax rebate (increasing to 70 percent for projects shot in the Basque language, Euskera), the Basque Country’s film and TV output has never looked so healthy.
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