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Julianne Moore in The Debut
Photo: BFI London Film Festival/Lionsgate
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Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut has been announced as the closing film of London Film Festival’s 70th edition, which runs from October 7 to 18.
The festival previously announced Simon Stone’s Elsinore, based on the life of actor Ian Charleson, will be its opening film.
American actor/director Eisenberg's film, for which he also wrote the music, will premiere in Toronto before its London bow. His previous film A Real Pain, played at the festival in 2024.
The film sees a shy housewife (Moore) unexpectedly cast in a local am-dram original musical. Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director (Giamatti), she loses herself in the role and the high-stakes world of this community theatre production.
Jesse Eisenberg said: “I am both honored and honoured to be bringing The Debut to the 70th BFI London Film Festival. What a wonderful thrill to be the Closing Night gala, and I can’t wait to share the incredible performances by the cast with a London audience.”
Festival director Kristy Matheson 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. With its knockout performances and brilliantly sharp script, we’re excited to share this film, which will have audiences in its thrall and renewed by the joyous and soulful power of cinema.”
The full festival programme will be revealed on September 2. The Debut will be released in the US in December with UK and Ireland to follow on January 15, 2027.
