BFI Southbank

BFI Southbank was one of my favorite cinema of London. As a cinema and cultural hub, it offers so much more than just watching a film. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and the sense that this is a true home for film lovers. The cinema screens are comfortable and well-designed, with excellent sound and picture quality (especially NFT1). What makes BFI Southbank special is the diversity of its programming. You can find everything from classic films and rare archival screenings to independent features and international cinema. It feels like a place where film history and modern creativity come together. I also appreciated the educational and cultural aspects. The exhibitions and events provide a deeper understanding of cinema, and the staff are clearly passionate and knowledgeable. The BFI library and mediatheque are treasures for anyone who wants to explore film heritage more deeply. On top of that, the location on the South Bank is perfect—right by the river, surrounded by other cultural landmarks. The bar and café are great spots to relax before or after a film, and the overall experience feels both inspiring and enjoyable. In short, BFI Southbank is not just a cinema, but a cultural institution that celebrates film in all its forms. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting London, whether you are a casual moviegoer or a serious cinephile.

Stopped here for dinner and wasn’t disappointed. Lovely food, very clean, friendly/helpful staff. Did not realise it was also a cinema! Beautiful place and setting. Thank you!!

Always a delight to visit this temple to cinema. Suitably spooky for Halloween was the only cinema showing a horror film for Halloween we hadn't seen.

It’s been 6 years since I haven’t watched a movie in yet still the biggest cinema in the whole UK. Dongji island was a painful yet motivating memory where we celebrate 🥳 joint power and one earth. Love the plastic martini glass to help remain the feeling for a signature cocktail like that :)

Had an amazing experience watching the brilliant film Pillion, great place for film enthusiasts. Grab a drink and enjoy your date/films.

Another brilliant visit to BFI Southbank today. Not very often you get to see and speak to two top Hollywood Directors and a host of actors in one day but Katherine Bigelow and Ridley Scott contributed their time magnificently. All BFI staff are always super helpfulful, friendly and fun. Great facilities and perfect to promote film in the UK

I was a member, and regular film-goer. Then my daughter died and I stopped going - and stopped full-stop. Perhaps taking up my old film-going habit will signify that I’m on the way back to - something.

Went to see Where Eagles Dare on Sunday 28th December. The film was great, alas the cinema wasn't. I saw the film in BFI 1 which is the big auditorium. However my seat felt like a lumpy old mattrass that had clearly seen better days. Also the layout is now very dated. The tiers on rows of seats are just not high enough, (About 5") so all you get is view of the bottom of the screen and someone's head sticking up. By the end of the showing I virtually crippled and kept having to move about to get a view. Even the person in front of me moved to the next seat along to avoid a head. Also as the cinema is built under Waterloo Bridge you constantly get a "thud-thud" as a bus or lorry drives over the expansion joints above. It's worth going to the building in it's 1970's splendour but that metal floor is lethal if you use a walking stick! I put my head into another cinema room and it was tiny. Also the price of drinks was just a bit steep. If I went again I would opt for a aisle seat so you get out and go for a stretch! Pleasant staff and you get a printed sheet with useful info in it for free. I am sure people would pay for more premium seats. The best thing was that the showing was a special so the people who went wanted to see the film. So there was no taking except for the odd giggle and laugh and there was not a single mobile phone on view. No plastic food wrappers either. I suspect if people had their phones on they would have been shot!

As a movie lover, it feels a little blasphemous to rate the British Film Institute at only three stars. It's a really cool space with amazing retro and new screenings. The theaters are small but state-of-the-art, and the gift shop is filled with the most amazing gifts for any cinephile. So why the low rating? On my last visit to London, I was super excited to hear that the BFI would be screening "True Romance, " one of my favorite films of all time. I rode all the way across town on the Tube and when I arrived to buy a ticket, I find out that the film was being screened on -- wait for it -- A DIGITAL FORMAT AND NOT FILM! What? The British FILM Institute was doing a retro screening of a classic film and they weren't even running a 35mm print! This is just insane to me. Why do I want to watch a movie in the digital format, especially at a venue that is dedicated to the preservation of film? Still a cool place to check out if you're in town, but be sure to ask if the film you're going to see is being shown on actual film. Oh, and I totally want the film reel door handles that decorate the front door for my home theater.

Great place to grab a cup of coffee & meet friends before or after a film. Wonderful selection of films & books.

The BFI is a great place to see a film. First, be prepared to NOT have popcorn. This may seem a small price to pay but it's worth it when you get to sit in clean, comfortable seats that don't have the residue of years of stale popcorn. And it's also great not having to sit next to arthritis ridden people struggling as the grapple with their big bag of popcorn. And by the time you're ten minutes into a classic Charlie Chaplin film or an eye opening Middle Eastern Independent film, you're quiet happy without the luxuries most cinemas usually provide. The BFI pride themselves on quality. The prints are pristine, the sound is always perfect -- and the clientele, I guess because of the programming choices and pricing tend to be more well-behaved and interested in what's happening on screen than when you go to your local out of town multiplex. The bar is great before a film - a good place to grab a bite, or a beer. And if it's not too frozen you can always sit outside, it has a great atmosphere.

There are so many wonderful events the BFI hosts, often with amazing guest speakers and screenings. Their Seasons are always insightful And thought provoking and I make sure I attend a few events a year. Not to mention, as a film student, the library is a fantastic resource and great for just chilling. I love the shop too, because it's always a good place to check out if you're short on movie night ideas.

Hidden under Waterloo Bridge, the BFI (or NFT) is a great resource if you want to learn about the history of film, or indulge in your favourite film director's ouvre. Regular seasons of directors' actors' screenwriters' etc works, and usually pretty extensive selection of films. Hopelessly middle-class and somewhat reserved for an invention that truly appealed to everyone, but I guess that even the old classics are now part of the art-house. Screen 1 (NFT 1) is the best - large nice atmosphere, NFT2 is more intimate, but the sight-lines are quite poor in places as there's not much of a rake, and NFT3 is the smallest - about 70 or so seats. Check out the bookshop also, and if you have time, the fascinating - and free - mediatheque which is a bunch of computer screens holding lots of digitised films and moving image clips. Food: Retuarant at the main entrance is good, cafe at the back hit and miss. And if you've only watched your favourite black and white classic at home on a crummy TV during a Saturday morning matine on BBC2 - GO HERE and experience it in it's proper home and you may find yourself coming back for more.

This is one of those reviews that has a standard disclaimer of "I should keep this my own little secret, but it's too amazing not to share." Have you checked out the Mediatheque? First of all, it's FREE! Okay, some jobsworth will point out that as a partially taxpayer supported entity it's not free and we've already paid for it. Fair play. But to not have to actually put my hand in my pocket and view whatever content is in the Mediatheque's library is pretty freakin' cool. This isn't the BFI's entire collection, but there's a fair range from the early 1900s to the present. The National Archive have curated particular collections, including but not limited to Black Britain, a tour of London, films on punk, films on housewives in the 1920s-1950s, sex ed, and silent film. Every time I go, I learn something new and amazing about Britain's history, culture, and politics. I watched the first episode of "Queer as Folk" as was like, "Dang, they showed all that on Channel 4?!" I'd suggest visiting the BFI Mediatheque website and selecting what you'd like to see before you go as you're only allotted a two hour slot (no matter how empty the place is). If you faff about browsing and watching a couple of things before you settle on something, you'll be out of time. Here's where I got a little taxpayer indignant, but rules are rules. Opening times Tue 13:00-20:00, Wed - Sun 11:00-20:00 Book in advance: 020 7928 3535 Not open Mon (except Bank Holidays). http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/mediatheque

I've only been living here 6 months. But I already find myself a regular at the BFI. I go there for a number of reasons, its one of the nicest spots on the South Bank to stop for drink. There's front facing bar that looks out onto the river, great for catching the rays. And there's the 'secret' (and by secret I mean, in the back, that everyone knows about) bar that is much more aesthetically pleasing. Its harder to get a table in the back. BUT it is also a cinema! I KNOW, right, plenty on from newbies to classics. Last week I stopped in for a comedy night with Adam Buxton. Great laughs were had all around. I suppose what I'm saying, is the atmosphere is really fanastic here and it never disappoints me as a lovely hang-out in the early evening into the night. I WILL say though, don't order the share platter of food from the bar, its a rip off. Price vs amount of food. They hide the lack of food in too much packaging. A "pint" of sausage rolls: Tossing sausage rolls into a glass is fun and all, but I just want to eat the food at the end of the day, and more would fit onto a plate than IN a glass on a plate. Don't be discouraged though, just don't get that.

Managed to catch a film during the London Film Festival here. Great venue that includes several bars (a really cool looking one at the back) and restaurant, film buff book shop and cinemas, of course, including an IMAX. I like the feel of the whole place. The cinema itself was very comfortable. Bonus was the Director coming on stage to talk about his film afterwards. The book shop is an excellent place to find vintage British films and documentary DVDs and specialist film books. I should come here much more often!

Right underneath the Waterloo bridge, next to the National Theatre, Brisith Film Insitute (BFI) Southbank is surpisingly easy to miss as one walks along the southbank, especially on the weekend when the book/art fair draws lot of attention... Nonetheless, once you discover the place, it's like in HEAVEN. A movie theatre: you get the latest and coolest. It also hosts the Times BFI London Film Festival (upcoming 54th in 13-29 Oct 2010). The 'dark side' is the strict house rule, which says latecomers for more than 10 minutes are not allowed. I had to miss the Private Affairs of Bel Ami last Sunday sadly... A film intitute: they treat films religiously. Each vistor can choose to receive an acomplimentary double sided film introduction sheet. They were quite helpful, especially when you want to get deeper, not just for leisure purposes :) My recent experience of watching Agnès Varda's Cleo from 5 to 7 and Claude Chabrol's La Femme infidèle turned out to be engaging discussions post the movies. The Mediatheque: the place to explore the BFI National Archive, for free. You can double up with a friend and watch together some of the old fashions, 39 steps, Alan Bennett, and Polanski's Repulsion (Catherine Deneuve). For new comers, the-60 Minute Guided Tour provides a whistle-stop journey over 100 years of film thru 15 short films. I'd be very curious to compare Mediatheque with Cinémathèque Française in Paris... A chill-out place: you can have the choice of riverfront or the Benugo bar and kitchen. Whether ruminate on cheeseburger royales, or (goodwill) hunt for animal crackers in soup, whether tuck into a roast or raise a toast, you'll find yourselves home quickly. Other than the free wifi, the coffee is the Italian job. Thank you for sharing the wonder with me - the Art House Cinema Meetup! P.S. for hot movies, online booking is strongly recommended. The queues can often get long in the last half hour, and it is very likely to sold out. Luckily once, I got a free ticket when someone couldn't show for his purchased online ticket. I was the last on those unused tickets return and got it free as the movie was just about starting (not enough time for reselling) :P

As a film lover, I'm always completely overwhelmed by the BFI listings. How.on.earth.can.you.get.to.see.everything??? I've given up on that cause it's impossible. But I rest assured that anytime I want to see a fantastic flick I can just pop to southbank and there'll be something good on. Of course, there are a lot of BFI fans out there so it's often a good idea to book in advance to make sure it's not sold out. We ate at the cafe/restaurant by the entrance the other day and it was really good. As it was a snowy, cold day I opted for some comfort food in the form of the cheese burger and chips. Perfectly cooked and well-flavourful. £12.50 is a bit much for a burger and chips but you can't have everything. The pies are also great. In fact the whole menu was pretty tempting and the drinks selection was good too. Very friendly, attentive and down-to-earth staff as well. I've just been to the NFT 1 so far and it's a lovely lush cinema. No popcorn etc. for sale. Actually patrons are asked online not to eat in the cinema which may seem a little strict but actually not having someone behind you munching on cinema snacks with extra rustling and whatnot is really pleasant. Also - no trailers/ads - what joy! I've just been given membership for my birthday and as you can sense from this review am very excited to make this a regular spot in life in London! c*

Some smart arse who writes for Vice said - It's a Richard-Curtis-at-Epcot idea of what London actually is, a gentrified, diluted, over-planned idea of a city that, in reality, is defined most by its constant, seething flux. I see what he's sayin......But.... Southbank - BFI Riverfront on any evening, is sweet to sit outside, under a heater lamp and sip a hot chocolate or a glass or wine. I've just realised - you can BYOB and have any EVEN better time! There's good energy i think because its surrounded by the book market and books are good and people who read are alright :) I love this place - its buzzin and there's films and art and people. The bar is crap and the drinks over priced - but hey, you don't need to even go inside if you grab some Leffe from Tesco and a pack of cards from your house.

Seats for movies are priced differently depending whether you're up front, center, or the side. I thought that was a bit strange. Attendant said there were only certain seats available/left, but upon walking into the theater, it was 1/3 full.

Love this place. Premium moviegoing. Comfy seats, excellent bar and restaurant, quirky, non standard films. Seats are super comfortable and the screens are quite large. Attended various movie events here, from different competition wins and loved it. Would definitely be willing to pay the regular price to attend, as I have been very impressed with the moviegoing experience.

Didn't enjoy my experience here. Snobby people, the arty farty type seemed more interested in critiquing a film as a art form than enjoying it as an experience. Cinema room smelled a bit and seats were small with little leg room.

Cinema: A movie theater. So as much as the BFI Southbank holds cool events, has a great bar and some tasty food on their restaurants menu, it really comes down to the fact the people want to plonk their bottoms in seats and be entertained by a film when they come here. This is my problem, if you want to see some of the finest independent films then you can't go wrong here. If you keep an eye on their website and sign up to their newsletter you can see when awesome films they have coming up. My only gripe is like Rachel, the seats were so uncomfortable. It wasn't so much the chair in my knees, it was fact that i had to lay back and the chair was crazy tilting out of control. Bit weird for a place that has so obviously had a large amount of money spent on it making it lovely. So I'm slap bang in the middle with this place, great film selection, staff and tickets... crap seats.

Have you been there? If not, GO GO GO. It's one of those places that looks like it might be a super-expensive tourist hot-spot from the outside. In truth, it's really chill on the inside, full of people just come in off the bank looking for a place to sit and read, watch an interesting (free) movie from the archive, or take part in whatever intriguing events they have going on. Granted - many of the buildings on Southbank are great for settling down on a sofa without the worry of being bothered by people. I'm a little biased, having been involved in film festivals at the BFI, but it really is a terrific place. The cafes are expensive, but bring your own provisions and your set for a lovely afternoon of films, and you might just land there on a day that some group has taken over the BFI for a brilliantly put-together film festival (the BFI is great about letting groups take over the place for the weekend in the name of film). Make sure to pick up programmes so you don't miss the amazing things taking place - summer is the best time for idling on the Southbank!

Totally enjoyed my visit to BFI! I'm sure I'll find myself there time and time again. Went in today for the first time to catch part of the Hitchcock love bonzanza they're throwing. My flick was in NFT 1 and it's a gorgeous room! Red velvety-ness everywhere. So clean and comfortable, plenty of leg room, and because no food is served in the BFI, I felt totally comfortable placing my bag underneath my seat. The shop seems quite nice, but I was surprised by the total lack of blu rays. Still seems quite stuck in DVD land, but this may have to do with the older, classic films available for purchase not being released on blu ray at this point. Hope to come back to catch more Hitchcock or as a prime place for indie film!

Recently rebranded the BFI Southbank from its old name, the National Film Theatre, the BFI Southbank is a cinema and entertainment complex very much in the mould of the other arts palaces that line the Southbank riverfront. To say I'm unimpressed by it would be a gross understatement. It infuriates me. With such vast archives and access to enormous sums of public money one would expect that the BFI would produce much more enthusiastically comprehensive programmes. Instead, we get a few good series buried under populist sludge. They actually played The Quantum of Solace for a number of weeks when it came out. They should be embarrassed. And Londoners should demand more of their publicly funded institutions than this wan failure.

Fabulous film. Decent (if slightly overposhed) food & drink. Nice places to sit. You can always pop in for a wee. And they bring film, from archives to new releases, from restorations to foreign classics. the BFI has it. It's one of London's real treasures.

There are many reasons to love the BFI. One is the cafe bar under Waterloo Bridge. A very cool place to grab a drink and sit people-watching on the South Bank. Two is the book market which lives just beyond the outdoor seats of the cafe bar also under Waterloo Bridge. Everyday the books get laid out on the long tables and at the end of the day they are packed away again (unless they have been bought and find a new life away from Waterloo Bridge). Three is the bar inside the BFI. This a a very cool bar done out on mismatching (but actually matching) furniture. I get the feeling not that many people know it exists because it's never as busy as its coolness would suggest. It is quite expensive, but most places round these parts are. Four is the actual cinema. It is old school and fabulous. Red velvet seats and curtains, massive screen, over-riding sense of reverence.

Dear BFI, You troublesome troublesome place! How dare you make margaritas so yummy, that I drink seven of them and them make myself sick? That wasn't very nice of you. Oooh, but what a stunning cocktail menu you make. And you're really very pretty aren't you? With your funky decor and pretty lighting. But I'm still very made at you. You cost me a lot of money indeed and I felt very sick the next day. It's all your fault you wonderful brilliant bar that I will no doubt go back to within the next week. You're a bit fancier than the Royal Festival Hall aren't you? I'd hate you if your cocktails weren't so yummy. Best wishes, A hungover Siany

You can take booze into the cinema? Great news. Really comfy seats inside, big screens and a great variety of unusual films. Good banter with the bar staff helps as well!

BFI Southbank has much more of a young, vibey feel about it since it was refurbished a couple of years back. It's a bit confusing to get around and NFT 3 is a miniature screen but the choice of films is amazing. It's a great way to see old films the way they were meant to be. One thing extra to check out though is the Mediatheque. It allows you to take up seat at your own booth and choose what you want to watch from a wide selection of stuff from public info films of London in the 60s to the first episode of Hollyoaks. It's ace.

This place is one of my favorite places to go to on a Friday night to either catch a film or grab a drink in the bar. When hosting film festivals such as LLGFF this place becomes alive and awash with many an interesting face.

So much about the BFI Southbank has been said already here. Its a great place for watching more off the wall films, or ones that you might have missed on first release. It has a funky little cafe bar. It is in a superduper location and its also got a little gallery that I don't think anyone has mentioned but which always has something interesting and out there showing

The BFI is of course one of the coolest places to check out classic cinema in the universe. For a start it's on the South Bank, so there are plenty of places to hang out and watch people drifting past, and infact there's an ok bookmarket outside on the riverbank if you fancy it. There are 2 great bars at the BFI - one directly opposite the aformentioned bookstore, and a new one somewhere inside, which has a lovely and lively atmosphere and is a cool place to go wether you're going to the flicks or not. Then of course there's the cinema - where else are you likely to get to see a whole season of restored Argento prints or remastered Hitchcock. Brilliant.

I came here on a school trip when I was 15, THis place has the history, has some great features as well. Cinema on the SOUthbank. Can't say anything better really

Nothing says London, more than a walk along South Bank in the evening. Stopping to watch the skateboarders and then popping into the BFI to watch an old black and white movie. Or even a new movie perhaps. At the weekends, the BFI enjoys looking out onto the best book stall in London, which is hungrily browsed by hundreds of people. Anywya, teh BFI is a lovely cinema with a consistently inspiring schedule of films. They particularly do themed showings well, where they pick one actor or directors and put on their best works. The bar is good too, with some nice wines and fine views.

There will always be a soft spot in my heart for the old Museum of the Moving Image. Many a school holiday was spent roaming around its dilapidated insides, gawping at costumes and props from famous films. But there's no denying that it was beyond saving - lack of funding and public interest saw to that - and this new space is a big improvement. The centrepiece is the three screens with state of the art projection and sound, where you can watch a parade of classic films as originally intended. In addition, there's a gallery, bookshop, several bars and restaurants, and a "mediateque" for browsing the BFI archives. There's no better place to indulge your love of film, and its central location on the lively South Bank is a bonus. Becoming a member of the BFI is also worth considering. You can attend the occasional free screening, get priority booking for the London Film Festival and other events, and also have concessionary pricing for tickets. Last night, for instance, I had the pleasure to catch a screening of "Zulu"; believe me, watching it on a crummy TV on a Bank Holiday is no substitute for a big screen with booming sound and glorious technicolour.

I really enjoyed checking the exhibitions they are having on show there. It's a great way to learn. Also the shop it's pretty amazing, great titles of movies, books, and indeed an impressive collection of international cinema.

The BFI is an excellent cinema and is a joy for any true film lover. They mainly show old movies and introspectives and regularly have screenings followed by Q&A sessions with directors. They offer a wide variety of films and the patrons are largely well behaved - in terms of a filmgoing experience the BFI can't be bettered. My one slight grudge is the cafe and restaurant found at the entrance and exits to the building. Massively overpriced, completely unimaginative and mediocre food are the negative aspects of the venue. The atmosphere in the cafe is quite good but if you're hungry I'd suggest walking down the road to the sandwich shop. There is also a film shop in the building which is also overpriced, but is a nice touch and sells some items that are difficult to get hold of elsewhere. Even if you don't plan on buying anything it's nice to look around if you're early for your screening. So overall, it's a venue that is heaven for film lovers, but they could do so much more with the cafe area - it really is full of potential for a film themed eating experience and would sit very well with the rest of the building. Aside from that, this is very highly recommended.

Based on the South Bank near Waterloo Bridge the British Film Institute centre is one to watch. With regular shows, movies, festivals there is always something to watch and do and often at reasonable prices. As films go, it tends to be the better ones that are shown here. Keep an eye on their website if you don't head in that direction often or sign up for updates. In June the large Raindance festival is held here (but you need to book early for tickets!) that is quite an experience! The bar is in a lovely spot and always nice to visit and there are often good buskers outside.

Opening night of French CanCan.. and also loosing my BFI Southbank virginity. It was fantastic. Comfy, super clean, red faux velvet, old red curtained screen and ushers to show you to your seats. Two particular highlights, the first (potentially less important and less note worthy, but very important): no food is allowed in the cinema. HURRAH for no noisy crunching, scrunchings, munching etc! Also, the films are themed into groups for each month. There is a mixture between old movies digitally enhanced re-makes and some out there documentaries. Perfect place for something a bit different and lovely on any night. N.B. French CanCan is definitely worth seeing!

Love the BFI bar. Great mojitos, great atmosphere, and not too full of arty types either. Had an amzing meal and there is never too much of a queue to get a seat.

The British Film Institute, like AFI in the States, is dedicated to preserving the work of its actors and directors, so prints screened here are in perfect condition. Programs tend to attract true film buffs, so it's not likely you'll find yourself seated in the middle of people who talk to each other, yell at the screen, or can't control their fidgety children.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Classic, great in "technicolor" on the big screen.... Partially distracted by the peculiarly back-tilting seats that mean you have to either: a) Crush the knees of the person behind you; or b) Obscure the view of the aforementioned hapless stranger by hunching forward and cupping your chin - you will also freak out your forward neighbour by breathing next to their ear So, the moral of the story is to pick (or move to) a seat with no front or back neighbours. Then you might actually enjoy the movie....

I really enjoyed seeing Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window" a the BFI. The theatre is beautiful! Worth the price of the tickets.

After we finally found the entrance, we then had to figure out where to go once we were inside (I think they were renovating). After crossing that hurdle, we watched Indiana Jones. The theater itself was excellent if pricey. But a fun experience none the less.

Fantastic program off the main stream. The café is a great place for meeting people. Check out the website for the schedule. One of the best places to spend a long afternoon in London.

If your taste in cinema extends further than the latest dumb popcorn blockbuster, it's worth checking out the BFI Southbank programme. They always have interesting seasons and events, and you can be sure of decent quality projection. The bar is good, but it is extremely pricy in that '£6 for a sandwich' kind of way. It does offer free wi-fi (username and password are bfi/bfi). The newly refurbished Riverside café seems nice, too.

Really cool venue! It's really well decorated and the architecture is really awesome. The seats in the theatre were really comfortable and there are two bars on location with one right on the river. The only bad thing is that the waiting room gets really hot!

a nice place where you can both have a drink and watch a movie. Staff is nice and helpful. what else ?

I've been a member here for years and have seen some great screenings and met some fabulous people.

The BFI Southbank (the rebranded name for the old National Film Theatre) shows classic and art house films, British and foreign, on its three popcorn-free cinema theatres. The BFI is part of the Southbank Centre and is housed in a concrete monster on the edge of the Thames. The BFI runs both the London Film Festival and the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Within the BFI Southbank is a bar and cafe (food isn't great but it's a fun place, and is pretty cheap, to meet for a snack before or after a film). There's a great second hand book stall on the banks of the Thames by the BFI, under the arches of Waterloo Bridge.

the best cinema in town for sure. They run 3 big venues and 1 studio cinema showing parallel screenings in all 4 of them. Each month programme is built around 3-4 different topics being a film director (C. Eastwood),an actor (E. Tylor) , a film gender(French new cinema) , a country (Japan) or a subject (cosmos). Along new movies they show very old productions. They pick up old films I have never heart of and which I might never discover on my own still very good and worth seeing. If somebody is disappointed or bored with watching always the same Hollywood fairy tales this is the right place to go to enjoy the best bits the world cinema have every produced.

Excellent programme of films ranging from world cinema, classic movies, obscure stuff that is impossible to see elsewhere and even the odd modern day hollywood blockbuster. 3 screens of varying sizes 4 actually if you count the studio, 2 bars/restaurants, dvd/book shop and usually a small exhibition of some sort relating to whatever happens to be on at the moment. only downside is that bar is often packed -could do with a members room. advisable to book in advance for some screenings/events.

Great place, real fun, definitely recommended

Went to BFI Southbank for my first time ever, just to meet one of the staff for a coffee. I think I imagined it would be a big 70s style building with a canteen, so was totally blown away. It is stunning inside and very very funky. I love the overstuffed armchairs and the bold wallpaper, and all the attention to detail in the foyer. My coffee was so-so, but the atmosphere more than made up for it! I was also incredibly surprised to find that they have fun days for toddlers and family films - it didn't strike me as that sort of place!

One of the most stylish places to soak up film culture in London. Great building with plenty going on - from exhibitions to talks to informal film debates. Check out the bar which is actually really cool and relatively undiscovered by London socialites. Free wifi makes this a great lace to head to for some nomadic working!