With Cannes already done and dusted, and Venice and Toronto not far off, we are (already!) in the midst of this year’s film festival season – and this morning brings some key news about the UK’s biggest cinematic gathering of the year, the BFI London Film Festival. We now know which film will open the festival – Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, the movie adaptation of Tim Minchin’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel. Got that? Good.
The new Matilda movie is directed by Matthew Warchus, who also developed and directed the stage show for both London’s West End and Broadway, and stars newcomer Alisha Weir in the titular telekinetic role. Other cast include Lashana Lynch as friendly teacher Miss Honey, Emma Thompson (under many layers of prosthetics) as significantly-less-friendly teacher Miss Trunchbull, plus Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as Matilda’s parents.
In a statement regarding the news, Warchus has said: “What a delight to be opening this tremendous film festival with singing, dancing, green hair and chocolate cake. It’s a real honour to be sharing this joyful and empowering tale of a little girl’s courage and compassion at such a prestigious event.” This year’s BFI London Film Festival will be the 66th edition of the event, and runs from 5 to 16 October. The opening of the festival on 5 October at the Southbank Centre will be Matilda The Musical’s world premiere, with simultaneous screenings set to take place across the UK, ahead of the film’s arrival in UK cinemas from 2 December.