Storytelling has always had a powerful place on Cunard voyages so it’s fitting that Cunard is delighted to announce that they’re returning as the main sponsor of the 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express, taking place 9 – 20 October in London and cinemas across the UK.
Cunard Gala
This year’s Cunard Gala will be the World Premiere of “Joy” directed by Ben Taylor and staring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy and will take place at London’s Southbank on 15 October.
Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the ground-breaking birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’, and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible. Told through the perspective of Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie), a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The beautifully crafted period drama celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this maverick trio of visionaries who overcame tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream, and in doing so allowed millions of people to dream with them.
Credit: Netflix / Kerry Brow
Joy will have its World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday 15 October at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with the Festival’s nine UK-wide partner venues screening the film simultaneously. Joy will be released in select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from the 15 November before launching on Netflix globally on 22 November 2024.
Credit: Netflix / Kerry Brow
Cunard has a long-standing affiliation with the silver screen, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names having sailed in style with Cunard, from Charlie Chaplin to Meryl Streep. As the first cruise line to host a film premiere on board, with the launch of The Greatest Showman on Queen Mary 2, Cunard is passionate about the power of timeless storytelling and together with BFI, strives to create unparalleled and unforgettable moments for film lovers. In March 2025, we’ll unite with the BFI to present together the Film Festival at Sea on board Queen Mary 2, where guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the mechanics of bringing a motion picture to life and flex their cinematic knowledge against fellow film buffs on board. The voyage will feature a programme of special film screenings, lighting up the big screen in Queen Mary 2’s planetarium, illuminations.
Look out for your opportunity to walk the red carpet with the stars of Joy at this year’s Cunard Gala, more information coming soon. Keep an eye on the Weekly Update!
Tickets for London Film Festival go on sale on 17 September at 10am find out more about LFF here BFI London Film Festival – 9 to 20 October 2024