Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut to Close London Film Festival

Jesse Eisenberg is set to bring the curtain down on the 70th edition of the BFI London Film Festival with the U.K. premiere of his next feature as director.

“The Debut,” a musical comedy starring Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey and Havana Rose Liu, will close the 2026 festival on Oct 18 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with Eisenberg and his cast, which also includes Bernadette Peters, Colton Ryan, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy and Bonnie Milligan, expected to attend.

The film, Eisenberg’s follow up to his Oscar nominated and BAFTA winning “A Real Pain,” which screened at the London Film Festival in 2024, follows a shy woman who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical. Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director, she loses herself in the role and the high-stakes world of this community theatre production.

“I am both honored and honoured to be bringing ‘The Debut’ to the 70th BFI London Film Festival,” said Eisenberg. “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.”

Added Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival artistic director: “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 Debut” will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in the U.S. by A24 on Dec. 11. Lionsgate will release the film in the U.K. on Jan. 15 2027.  

The 70th BFI London Film Festival will take place Oct 7-18.