Chloé Zhao's drama 'Hamnet' has won the audience award for best feature film at the London Film Festival, as the British Film Institute reported its highest attendance ever. The festival reached 235,853 people across screenings in London and the U.K. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley star in the film about William Shakespeare's personal life.
Award Details
'Hamnet' claimed the audience award for best feature, voted on by attendees at in-person screenings across the U.K. and London. The film, directed by Chloé Zhao, served as the Mayor of London's Gala on October 11, where Zhao, stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, and producer Steven Spielberg introduced it. Described as a moving drama exploring Shakespeare's life and the creation of 'Hamlet,' it is positioned as a potential awards contender.
The audience award for best British discovery went to Yemi Bamiro's documentary 'Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story,' which world premiered on October 9. The film pays tribute to the photographer and activist who advanced the 'Black Is Beautiful' movement.
Festival Attendance and Impact
The 2025 London Film Festival achieved record-breaking numbers, with 235,853 attendees over 12 days, including LFF for Free and industry events. Occupancy for free and paid screenings rose to 94% from 92% the previous year, and 47% of tickets were purchased by first-time attendees. The event hosted over 1,000 international and U.K. filmmakers, XR artists, and series creators, while the industry forum drew more than 3,400 delegates.
Festival director Kristy Matheson stated, 'Our biggest thanks go to the artists who generously shared their unique views of the world with us this year. Across screenings, talks, exhibitions, immersive experiences, it was a delight to see industry and audiences engage with each other and this program — proving once again the joy and comfort we all find in screen culture.'
The next edition is scheduled for October 7-18, 2026.