‘Lilly,’ Starring Patricia Clarkson, to Open London’s Women and the World Intl. Film Festival

Rachel Feldman’s “Lilly,” starring Patricia Clarkson, will open the third edition of the Women and the World International Film Festival, which runs in London from Nov. 5-12.

Highlights of the program, which puts women’s authorship at its center, include the world premiere of Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo’s “Laya,” alongside premieres of Marina Kunarova’s “The Nomad’s Legacy” and Flaminia Graziadei’s “A Year in London.”

In a statement, Ksenia Bugrimova, the festival director, 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.

“We believe there should simply be more films by women in the world – and more opportunities for those films to reach audiences. Celebrating women is important, but celebration alone is not enough. We want to support them, advocate for them and connect their work directly with audiences and the international film industry.”

The jury includes David Gyasi, British actor and producer; Olwen Fouéré, Irish actor, writer and director; MyAnna Buring, British-Swedish actor; Elena Andreicheva, documentary filmmaker and producer; Denise Parkinson, VP, sales and marketing global, Variety; David Martinez, film publicity executive; Rebecca del Tufo, co-founder and co-director, ScreenCraft Works; and Victoria Emslie, British actor and producer.

In addition to the screening program, WWIFF said it is expanding its efforts to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers and creative talent through collaborations with University College London, LAMDA, Film London and BFI Network.

The festival’s 2025 edition attracted 2,450 attendees and closed with the U.K. premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great.”