Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jon Stewart are just some of the names heading to the capital when the BFI London Film Festival returns next month.

Taking place at 17 venues – including Brixton’s Ritzy, BFI’s Imax and South Bank cinemas and four multiplexes in Leicester Square – the festival from October 8 to 19 will showcase a whopping 248 films.

Vibe’s picked out 10 things to get excited about, from the blockbusters to returning classics and London-inspired dramas.

News Shopper:

The Imitation Game Gala Screening

7pm on Wednesday, October 8, at Odeon Leicester Square

Benedict Cumberbatch, Kiera Knightley, Mark Strong, Charles Dance, Rory Kinnear and director Morten Tlydum are all expected to be in town for the British premiere of the highly-anticipated, critically-adored thriller about Second World War codebreaker Alan Turing.

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Nas: Time is Illmatic

8.45pm on Thursday, October 12 at the Ritzy, Brixton

It is 20 years since New York rapper Nas released his groundbreaking debut album Illmatic. One9 and Erik Parker’s film takes us back to the heart of the creative process as he returns home and shares stories of his upbringing, influences and obstacles he faced. Producers and musical peers including Alicia Keys and Pharrell give their views too.

News Shopper:

Mr Turner

6pm on Friday, October 10; 11am on Saturday, October 11, at Odeon West End

Director Mike Leigh’s biopic of JMW Turner bagged the big prize at the Cannes Film Festival and stars Forest Hill’s Timothy Spall.

News Shopper:

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

9pm on Friday, October 10, at Vue West End; 9pm on Sunday, October 12, at BFI South Bank; 8.45pm on Monday, October 13, at the Ritzy, Brixton

One of a string of treasures getting an outing this year, you can scare yourself witless by seeing the horror classic on the big screen.

News Shopper:

Foxcatcher

7.15pm on Thursday, October 16, at Odeon Leicester Square; noon on Friday, October 17, at Odeon West End.

The director of Capote and Moneyball, Bennett Miller’s tense psychological thriller is based on the real-life relationships of a pair of world champion wrestling brothers and a millionaire benefactor. The star-studded cast included Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller and Steve Carrell. Director Miller will be at BFI Southbank from 6.30pm on Friday, October 17, to discuss his work.

News Shopper:

Men, Women and Children

7.15pm on Friday, October 9, at Odeon Leicester Square; 2.15pm on Saturday, October 10, at Odeon West End; 9pm on Sunday, October 11, at Rich Mix on Shoreditch

Based on the novel by Chad Kultgen, Juno director Jason Reitman’s funny and poignant film looks at emotional isolation in the age of computers. The cast includes Adam Sandler and Jennifer Garner.

News Shopper:

Rose Water and Jon Stewart Debate

6pm on Sunday, October 12, at Odeon West End; 12.30pm on Tuesday, October 14, at Odeon West End; 8.30pm on Thursday, October 16, at Odeon Covent Garden.

Daily Show presenter Jon Stewart turns director to tell the real-life story of London-based journalist Maziar Bahari (played by Gael Garcia Bernal) who was detained in Iran for 188 days while trying to cover an election. Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari will also host a debate at Odeon West End from 8.45pm on Sunday, October 12, about the role of journalism and satire in maintaining freedom of speech.

News Shopper:

Honeytrap

8.45pm on Friday, October 17, at the Ritzy in Brixton; 3.15pm on Saturday, October 18, at Vue West End

Written and directed by south east Londoner Rebecca Johnson, Honeytrap is based on the real life 2009 murder of Deptford schoolboy Shakilus Townsend and focuses on the complex story of the girl (15-year-old Layla in the film) who lured him to his death.

 

News Shopper:

Nightbus

3.45pm on Sunday, October 12, at Curzon Soho; 9pm on Wednesday, October 15, at Rich Mix, Shoreditch; 8.45pm on Saturday, October 18, at BFI South Bank

We all know you see some surprising and amusing things on the night bus in London and now debutant director Simon Baker has committed it to film.

News Shopper:

Fury

7pm on Sunday, October 19, at Odeon Leicester Square

Brad Pitt and co close the show with director David Ayers’ action drama about the crew of a tank in occupied Europe in the Second World War. Brad is expected be in attendance.

Standard tickets cost £9 to £16, Gala tickets cost £20 to £32 and concessions £5 to £19. Masterclasses cost £15 and screen talks cost £17.50. Go to bfi.org.uk/lff or call 020 79283232.