The LFF Closing Night Gala is hosted at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 18 October with screenings around the UK. The 70th BFI London Film Festival (7 to 18 October) is excited to announce this year’s Closing Night Gala will be the UK premiere of Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 18 October 2026. Lionsgate will release The Debut for UK cinemas on 15 January 2027. Director of The Debut, Jesse Eisenberg, said: “I am both honored and honoured to be bringing The Debut to the 70th BFI London Film Festival. Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Artistic Director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome writer / director Jesse Eisenberg back to the LFF to close the 70th edition of the festival with his deliriously funny and heartfelt film, The Debut.