Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly is this year's Cunard Gala at BFI London Festival

10 Oct at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall

The Cunard Gala at the 69th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express is the new comedy-drama from four-time Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach. 

Starring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup and Riley Keough, the story follows famous movie actor Jay Kelly (Clooney) and his manager (Sandler) as they embark on a whirlwind journey through Europe, while facing the choices they’ve made, relationships with their loved ones and the legacies they’ll leave behind. 

'I'm thrilled and honoured for Jay Kelly to be included in the BFI London Film Festival. We filmed, as well as edited, mixed, and recorded our score, here in London. It feels like homecoming even for this New Yorker.'

Noah Baumbach, director of Jay Kelly

The 69th BFI London Film Festival (8 to 19 October) in partnership with American Express is delighted to announce that this year’s Cunard Gala will be the UK premiere of Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Friday 10 October. Written by Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, the comedy-drama features an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup and Riley Keough.

Jay Kelly, the new film from four-time Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Barbie, Marriage Story), follows famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney) and his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler) as they embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind.

Noah Baumbach and members of the cast are expected to attend the UK premiere.

“I’m thrilled and honoured for Jay Kelly to be included in the BFI London Film Festival,” said Baumbach. “We filmed, as well as edited, mixed, and recorded our score, here in London. Many of our amazing collaborators will be in attendance. It feels like a homecoming even for this New Yorker.”

“We are excited to welcome Noah Baumbach back to the festival whose previous titles White Noise, Marriage Story and The Meyerowitz Story have deeply moved and entertained LFF audiences,” said Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director. “With Jay Kelly, Noah returns with his signature blend of emotional honesty and comedy in a film that cleverly explores fame, friendship and our eternal love affair with the silver screen.” 

Jay Kelly is released in cinemas on 14 November and Netflix on 5 December 2025.

The 69th edition of the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express will take place in the following venues:

The Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall returns as the gala venue

BFI Southbank is the home of the competition programme, Screen Talks and LFF for Free events

The UK’s biggest screen BFI IMAX will once again host LFF screenings

LFF Expanded 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 UK-wide screenings at the festival venues, audiences will also be able to explore LFF programmes past and present with a special collection of films on BFI Player.

The 69th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 8 October to Sunday 19 October, 2025. The full festival programme will be revealed on Wednesday 3 September 2025, with tickets on sale from 16 September (BFI Members book early).