Julia Jackman closes the London Film Festival with ‘100 Nights of Hero’
Based on Isabel Greenberg's comic book, the feature film closes the festival at the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre on October 19
Credits: Independent Film Company
Following her second feature film Bonus Track, which premiered at the festival in 2023, Julia Jackman returns to the 69th BFI London Film Festival. The festival, which will take place from October 8 to 19, in partnership with American Express, announced that this year's Closing Gala will be the UK premiere of the film ‘100 Nights of Hero’, at the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre on October 19, 2025. The cast includes Emma Corrin, Nicholas Galitzine, Maika Monroe, Felicity Jones, Richard E. Grant, Charli XCX, and Amir El-Masry, among others.
Based on Isabel Greenberg's comic book, the story takes place in Darkly End, a world controlled by the tyrant Birdman. Cherry (Maika Monroe), trapped in an unhappy marriage with the absent Jerome (Amir El-Masry), finds comfort in the company of her maid Hero (Emma Corrin), who belongs to a secret society dedicated to preserving the stories of women erased from history. When Jerome travels, Cherry finds herself involved in an emotional and romantic tension with the seductive Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine), her husband's friend, and also with Hero, awakening forbidden feelings.
Credits: Independent Film Company
Director Julia Jackman says that the BFI London Film Festival has supported her work since her early short films. “Bringing ‘100 Nights of Hero’ here is something deeply special. Returning as the closing gala is an incredible honor, and we can't wait to share this film in our territory with London audiences!”
For Kristy Matheson, director of the BFI London Film Festival, Julia Jackman is an enormously talented filmmaker whose work we have had the pleasure of presenting at previous editions of the festival. "We were genuinely excited to see ‘100 Nights of Hero,’ which immediately won us over with its witty script, perfect performances, and joyfully rebellious heart. Personally, I am honored and delighted to welcome Julia and her talented team to take the stage this year and share this wonderful film with audiences."
Independent Film Company releases “100 Nights of Hero” in the US on December 5.
Credits: Independent Film Company
69º BFI London Film Festival
The 69th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express, will take place from Wednesday 8 October to Sunday 19 October 2025. The full festival programme will be revealed on Wednesday 3 September 2025, with tickets going on sale from 16 September (BFI members can book in advance).
The Festival will take place at the following locations:
- The Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre returns as the gala venue;
- BFI Southbank is home to the competition programme, Screen Talks and LFF for Free events;
- The UK's largest screen, BFI IMAX, will once again host LFF screenings;
- Expanded LFF works will be presented at Marie Rambert Studio, Rambert, BFI IMAX and BFI Southbank;
- Five partner cinemas in London's West End include Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End;
- Festival venues across the UK include Broadway Cinema in Nottingham, Chapter in Cardiff, Glasgow Film Theatre, HOME in Manchester, MAC in Birmingham, Queen's Film Theatre in Belfast, Showroom Cinema in Sheffield, Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle, National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, Filmhouse in Edinburgh and Watershed in Bristol;
- Press and industry screenings take place at Picturehouse Central.
In addition to screenings across the UK at Festival venues, audiences will also be able to explore past and present LFF programmes with a special collection of films on the BFI Player.
