The Debut at the BFI London Film Festival 2026 Closing Night Gala

The 70th BFI London Film Festival closes on Sunday 18 October 2026 with the UK premiere of Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.

The film

According to the BFI, The Debut follows a shy woman who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical. Eisenberg directs. The ensemble cast listed by the BFI includes:

Jesse Eisenberg
Julianne Moore
Paul Giamatti
Halle Bailey
Havana Rose Liu
Bernadette Peters
Colton Ryan
Lilli Cooper
Maulik Pancholy
Bonnie Milligan

The BFI says members of the ensemble cast are expected to attend. It hasn’t named which ones, so treat any specific names with caution until the festival confirms them.

Venue and date

Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
Venue: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1
Nearest stations: Waterloo and Embankment

This is not a Leicester Square event. For how that differs, see our LFF red carpet guide.

Tickets

The BFI’s fundraising tickets for the Closing Night Gala cost £250. The BFI says they let you walk the red carpet, see the film among the first audiences, and support its work as a charity. Proceeds go to the BFI (registered charity 287780).

The BFI also states that these tickets do not include access to any red carpet photography.

Standard gala tickets for the festival start from £10, with £6 for 25s and under, but the Closing Night Gala may sell out. Check the BFI’s What’s On page.

Watching from outside

We couldn’t find an official BFI fan viewing area for this event. Check the BFI’s channels closer to the date. Compare how studio premieres handle this in our fan access guide.

Conclusion

The 70th BFI London Film Festival draws to a close on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with the UK premiere of Jesse Eisenberg’s musical comedy-drama The Debut at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Distinct from West End studio premieres in Leicester Square, LFF galas blend charity fundraising, public screenings, and festival prestige. Whether you secure a £250 fundraising pass to walk the red carpet yourself or book standard festival tickets, attending the Closing Night Gala offers a unique opportunity to celebrate film culture alongside world-class filmmaking talent on London’s Southbank.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the LFF 2026 Closing Night Gala held?

The Closing Night Gala takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall inside the Southbank Centre (London SE1 8XX). The venue is easily accessible via Waterloo and Embankment tube and train stations.

What is The Debut about and who is in the cast?

Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, The Debut is a dramedy centered on a shy woman (Julianne Moore) who auditions on a whim for a local community theatre production of an original musical and becomes embroiled in the high-stakes world of its intense director (Paul Giamatti). The star-studded ensemble cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Havana Rose Liu, Bernadette Peters, Colton Ryan, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy, and Bonnie Milligan.

How much do tickets cost for the Closing Night Gala?

Fundraising Tickets (£250): Sold directly by the BFI to support its charitable initiatives (Charity No. 287780). These tickets allow you to walk the official red carpet alongside attendees and attend the premiere screening (does not include press photo call access).
Standard Gala Tickets (From £10 / £6 for Under 25s): Regular festival tickets offer screening access at standard LFF pricing, though availability for high-profile galas is limited and often sells out quickly.

How does the LFF red carpet at Southbank differ from Leicester Square premieres?

Leicester Square premieres are studio-run promotional events using free public ballots or wristband pens for outdoor spectators. In contrast, the BFI London Film Festival at Southbank is a ticketed cultural festival where red carpet walkup access is integrated into premium fundraising tickets, and official spectator barrier pens are generally not established around the venue perimeter.

Are stars guaranteed to appear at the premiere?

While the BFI expects members of the ensemble cast and director Jesse Eisenberg to attend, individual celebrity appearances are never guaranteed and depend on personal schedules, press commitments, and travel constraints.