Brief
Patricia Clarkson’s ‘Lilly’ opens London Women and the World Festival
The festival will also premiere Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo’s ‘Laya’ and expand collaborations with UCL, LAMDA, Film London and BFI Network.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Rachel Feldman’s drama “Lilly,” starring Patricia Clarkson, will open the third Women and the World International Film Festival, scheduled in London from Nov. 5‑12, Variety reported.
What happened
The program places women’s authorship at its core and includes the world premiere of Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo’s “Laya,” plus premieres of Marina Kunarova’s “The Nomad’s Legacy” and Flaminia Graziadei’s “A Year in London.”
What the reports add
Festival director Ksenia Bugrimova said the event aims to move beyond the “good girl” archetype, calling for women who are “complicated, instinctive, ambitious, vulnerable, fearless and free.” She added that celebration alone is insufficient and that the festival will support, advocate for, and connect women filmmakers with audiences and the international industry.
What was said
“The age of the ‘good girl’ is over. Cinema needs women who are complicated, instinctive, ambitious, vulnerable, fearless and free – women who do not ask permission to take up space,” Bugrimova told Variety.
How it came about
The 2025 edition attracted 2,450 attendees and closed with the UK premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great.” This year, the festival is expanding its platform for emerging talent through partnerships with University College London, LAMDA, Film London and the BFI Network.
Key facts
- Patricia Clarkson stars in “Lilly,” which opens the Women and the World International Film Festival. (variety.com)
- The festival runs in London from Nov. 5‑12, 2026. (variety.com)
- World premieres include Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo’s “Laya,” Marina Kunarova’s “The Nomad’s Legacy,” and Flaminia Graziadei’s “A Year in London.” (variety.com)
- Festival director Ksenia Bugrimova emphasized the need for complex, ambitious women filmmakers. (variety.com)
- The 2025 edition drew 2,450 attendees and featured Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great.” (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “‘Lilly,’ Starring Patricia Clarkson, to Open London’s Women and the World Intl. Film Festival”
