Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day to Open SXSW London 2026

Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day, directed by Tina Gharavi and adapted by screenwriter Justine Waddell, will serve as the opening film for the 2026 SXSW London festival, scheduled from June 1 to 6. The film stars Haley Bennett as Katharine Hilbery, a young woman navigating the constraints of a patriarchal society while pursuing her passion for astronomy. The cast also includes Jack Whitehall, Lily Allen, Jennifer Saunders, Sally Phillips, and Misia Butler. Key talent confirmed to attend the world premiere includes Bennett, Whitehall, Phillips, Butler, Gharavi, and Waddell.

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Alongside Night and Day, the festival will feature the darkly satirical film Savage House, starring Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy, among others. Additionally, there will be an exclusive first-look screening of Get Jiro, an animated series from Warner Bros. Animation based on Anthony Bourdain's graphic novel, set in a future Los Angeles dominated by master chefs.

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SXSW London has also announced six films selected for its Official Competition section, which includes:

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• The Other Side of the Sun by Tawfik Sabouni

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• The Red Hangar by Juan Pablo Sallato

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• Roya by Mahnaz Mohammadi

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• Memory by Vladlena Sandu

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• Remake by Ross McElwee

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• Only Rebels Win by Danielle Arbid

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Anna Bogutskaya, Head of Screen at SXSW London, emphasized that the films in the competition reflect a commitment to contemporary cinema that is "no-holds-barred, deeply human and formally audacious."

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In addition to film screenings, SXSW London will host a series of industry panels. Notable sessions include:

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• “Toy Meets Tech: The New Technologies of Toy Story 5” with Pixar artist Thomas Jordan

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• “BookTok to Screen: Making Hits Out of Views” featuring Tara Erer from Prime Video and Hannah Griffiths from Banijay

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• “Beyond the Audition: Casting Directors” with casting directors Sophie Holland and BAFTA-winner Lucy Pardee

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• “Responsibilities of Creative Leadership” with Mia Bays of the BFI Filmmaking Fund and Nadia Fall of The Young Vic

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• “Big Stories, No Borders” with Samuel Kissous of Pernel Media and Claire Mundell of Synchronicity Films

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The 2026 SXSW London festival promises a diverse lineup of films and discussions that reflect current trends in cinema and storytelling. With Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day leading the charge, the event aims to provoke thought and inspire audiences through its selection of films and industry insights.

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