The BFI London Film Festival is back 5–16 October at cinemas in London and around the UK. In addition to the cinema events, the festival continues with select films being available for streaming on BFI Player (features 14–23 October, shorts 5–23 October). Ticket sales open for the general public at 10 am on Tuesday 13 September.

Once again there are some well-renowned Finnish films in the festival lineup, showcasing Finnish film industry talent to UK audiences. This year’s selection is a mix of new and classic, with The Woodcutter Story (2022) and the recently restored Eight Deadly Shots, originally from 1972. Rounding out the trio is Boy from Heaven (2022), winner of Best Screenplay at Festival de Cannes this year. Written and directed by Tarik Saleh, the film has been co-produced by Finnish production companies Bufo and Post Control. For those more interested in documentaries, Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power has been produced by Onerva Pictures. The film’s producers Inka and Tanja Rusi are guests at the festival.

The Woodcutter Story
Woodcutter Pepe believes in a better tomorrow, even though nothing really gives him reason to in this idiosyncratic debut feature from Mikko Myllylahti, the writer of The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki

In cinemas:
Sunday 9 October 2022 20:45 (ODEON Luxe West End)
Monday 10 October 2022 13:45 (BFI Southbank)

Eight Deadly Shots – Kahdeksan surmanluotia
Frequently acclaimed as the greatest Finnish film ever made, Mikko Niskanen’s magnum opus epic paints a shattering portrait of an alcoholic farmer pushed to breaking point.

In cinemas:
Saturday 15 October 2022 12:30 (BFI Southbank)
Available for streaming in the UK from 14 to 23 October

Boy From Heaven
A fisherman’s son is offered a place at a prestigious Islamic school in Cairo and finds himself drawn into a religious and political power struggle.

In cinemas:
Thursday 6 October 2022 20:40 (Curzon Mayfair)
Saturday 8 October 2022 20:25 (ODEON Luxe West End)
Saturday 8 October 2022 20:40 (ODEON Luxe West End)

Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power
You may never look at film the same way again after watching this illuminating journey, which deconstructs the male gaze in cinema.

In cinemas:
Saturday 15 October 2022 17:50 (Prince Charles Cinema)
Sunday 16 October 2022 15:15 (ODEON Luxe West End)
Available for streaming in the UK from 14 to 23 October