BFI Southbank
Home of the British Film Institute on the South Bank with four cinema screens, an open-access archive and year-round film seasons
Home of the British Film Institute on the South Bank with four cinema screens, an open-access archive and year-round film seasons
BFI Southbank is the public home of the British Film Institute — a cultural cinema on the Thames championing moving image since 1957. With four screens and programming that spans silent-era classics to unreleased premieres, it is London's most important cinema for film lovers.
Tucked beneath Waterloo Bridge, the venue runs themed seasons year-round, hosts the BFI London Film Festival every October, and offers the Mediatheque, where visitors can explore tens of thousands of titles from the BFI National Archive.
BFI Southbank is not a conventional cinema. Its primary purpose is cultural — celebrating film as an art form and giving the public access to works they cannot see anywhere else. The programming team curates themed seasons running for weeks at a time, dedicating months to a single director, a national cinema or a genre. Recent seasons have focused on Akira Kurosawa, Agnes Varda, Italian Neorealism and climate on film.
The venue sits beneath Waterloo Bridge, built into the South Bank arts complex alongside the National Theatre and the Southbank Centre. Its four screens range from the 450-seat NFT1, used for premieres, to the intimate 38-seat Studio for talks and experimental film.
One of BFI Southbank's most distinctive features is the Mediatheque — a public viewing room where anyone can explore recordings from the BFI National Archive. The archive holds over 275,000 films and 750,000 television programmes dating back to cinema's earliest days, and the Mediatheque offers curated selections on individual viewing stations. It is open Tuesday to Sunday with no booking required.
The BFI's ongoing restoration work regularly brings forgotten or deteriorating films back to life. Restored prints are frequently screened at Southbank, often with introductions from curators or filmmakers. For anyone with an interest in film history, the Mediatheque and the restoration programme together are unmatched in London.
Every October, BFI Southbank becomes the nerve centre of the BFI London Film Festival — one of Europe's most important film festivals. The programme includes world and European premieres, gala screenings with director Q&As, short film competitions and industry events. The Southbank site hosts the main hub, press centre and many headline galas.
Beyond the festival, BFI Southbank runs year-round talks, panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As and preview screenings. The BFI Bar & Kitchen, on the ground floor with a riverside terrace, is a popular meeting spot before and after screenings. The BFI Shop stocks books, Blu-rays and film-related gifts.
Ticket prices vary by screening and event. Under-25s pay just £4 for most screenings. BFI Membership starts from £39 per year and includes discounted tickets, priority booking and access to the Members' Bar.
BFI Southbank runs themed seasons that change regularly. Check the website before visiting to see what is currently showing — you may discover a director or genre you would never have sought out.
The Mediatheque is free, requires no booking and lets you watch rare archive footage you cannot find online. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and is one of the best free cultural experiences on the South Bank.
If you are 25 or under, most screenings cost just £4. This makes BFI Southbank one of the best-value cinema experiences in London for younger visitors.
BFI Southbank is on the Thames riverside path between the London Eye and Tate Modern. Plan a screening around a walk along the South Bank for a full afternoon or evening out.
BFI Membership starts from £39 a year and gives you discounted tickets, priority booking for festivals and access to the Members' Bar. If you plan to visit more than three times a year, it pays for itself.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 27, 2026
