A standing ovation
Take your seats: our partnership with the British Film Institute
Storytelling has always had a powerful place on our voyages, so it was only natural that we should find ourselves in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI), an organisation that champions cinema in all forms.
4 min
06 Sep 2024
The BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express
An annual affair, The BFI London Film Festival is a celebration of film, TV, and immersive storytelling. The festival showcases new releases from around the world, and tickets are open to everyone for purchase. Q&As and events, such as DJ nights and debates, also form part of the Festival's programme, offering attendees a behind-the-curtain look and the chance to hear directly from industry insiders.
A red carpet on London’s Southbank is laid out for premiere screenings at Royal Festival Hall, and all festivalgoers additionally get the opportunity to cast their vote in the LFF Audience Awards, making this a truly fantastic experience for fans of cinema.
Joy (2024)
Joy (2024)
Joy (2024)
The world premiere of Joy (2024)
We are delighted to announce that the 68th BFI London Film Festival’s World Premiere of Joy on 15 October will be this year’s Cunard Gala at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall with director Ben Taylor and cast members Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy amongst those confirmed to attend.
Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the ground-breaking birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first IVF 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.
Joy will be released in select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from the 15th of November before launching on Netflix globally on the 22 November 2024.
Film Festival at Sea
In March 2025, Cunard guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of cinema on an Event Voyage dedicated to the wonders of the silver screen. The Film Festival at Sea in partnership with the BFI will unite film fans with industry experts and on-screen talent in a series of film-themed events and Insight talks.
Guests will be able to learn more about the mechanics of bringing a motion picture to life and flex their film knowledge against fellow film buffs on board. The voyage will also feature a programme of special film screenings, lighting up the big screen in Queen Mary 2’s Illuminations theatre.
BFI films take pride of place at our Pictures at The Pavilion film screenings on board our newest ship Queen Anne and, each month, specially chosen BFI titles are available for our guests to enjoy.
About the BFI
The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK's lead organisation for film and the moving image. Their mission is to support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers, as well as to grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive. They also seek to offer the widest range of moving image culture in the UK through their programmes and festivals, to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding of film, and to work with the UK Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries.
