5 festivals in London in the autumn - Traveling Psychiatrist

A few years ago, I shared my ‘10 tips to beat those post-holiday blues’. These tips included watching a film and listening to music among others. They did not, however, include going to a festival, which I now realise was a big omission. I’m currently on holiday in Greece, but I will soon return to London, where I live. Although I’d much rather continue my holidays, there are some things I’m really looking forward to – they will certainly help bear those post-holiday blues. One of these things is going to festivals. Although the British capital is home to a plethora of various kinds of festivals, these 5 festivals in London in the autumn are among my favourites.

BFI London Film Festival is one of my favourite festivals in London in the autumn. Here is Alicia Vikander at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival.

K-Music Festival (3 October – 23 November 2024)

First in my list of festivals in London in the autumn is the K-Music Festival. It will take place from 3 October to 23 November 2024. Among the artists who will participate in the K-Music Festival are Youn Sun Nah, who will perform at the Union Chapel on 6 October, Seayool, performing at the Holy Cross Church on 23 October, and soprano Hera Hyesang Park, performing at Smith Square Hall on 26 October 2024.

BFI London Film Festival (9 – 20 October 2024)

Founded in 1957, the BFI London Film Festival takes place every October in multiple cinemas around London. This year’s programme will be announced on 4 September. Over the last few years, I have watched quite a few thought-provoking films, both from the United Kingdom and abroad, and had the chance to hear filmmakers answering questions from the audience. Alicia Vikander and Alexander Skarsgård were among the actors I’ve seen in Q&A sessions.

Alexander Skarsgård at the 2018 BFI London Film Festival.

French Film Festival UK (6 November – 12 December 2024)

Next in my list of festivals in London in the autumn is the French Film Festival UK. As both a cinephile and Francophile, I have always been interested in French cinema. Naturally, the French Film Festival UK never fails to provide a space to watch French films. The exact programme for this year is yet to be announced. The French Film Festival UK takes place in London, as well as other British cities.

EFG London Jazz Festival (15 – 24 November 2024)

Every November, the EFG London Jazz Festival brings some of the biggest names in music (not exclusively jazz) to London. It takes place across multiple venues, including the iconic Southbank Centre. I already have tickets to see Submotion Orchestra on 17 November. Since their inception in 2009, the genre-defying Submotion Orchestra have moved seamlessly between deep electronica, jazz, soul and ambient downtempo, mesmerising audiences from Iceland to India.

London Korean Film Festival (November 2024)

It’s been 4 years since ‘Parasite’, directed by Bong Joon-ho, won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. This was a historical moment: ‘Parasite’ was the first South Korean film to have been nominated in these categories, as well as the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Since then, I have watched many more films from South Korea, including ‘The Anchor’, which I watched at the London Korean Film Festival in 2022. It was directed by Jung Ji-yeon, who came to the screening for a very interesting Q&A session. It stars Chun Woo-hee, who plays a TV news anchor who gets a phone call from a woman telling her that she will soon be murdered, and Shin Ha-kyun, who plays the latter’s psychiatrist. The exact programme and dates for this year are yet to be announced.

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)