The Oct. 18 closing night gala will be the U.K. premiere of the movie, with its writer-director expected to attend alongside his cast members.

Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Havana Rose Liu, Bernadette Peters, Colton Ryan, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy and Bonnie Milligan join Eisenberg in The Debut, following a shy woman (Moore) who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical. Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director (Giamatti), she loses herself in the role and the high-stakes world of this community theatre production.

Eisenberg returns to the London Film Fest after the premiere of A Real Pain in 2024, which earned him Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.

My Oscar Book:

“I am both honored and honoured to be bringing The Debut to the 70th BFI London Film Festival,” joked Eisenberg about the U.S.-U.K. spelling. “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.”

Kristy Matheson, artistic director of the BFI London Film Fest: “We are thrilled to welcome writer-director Jesse Eisenberg back to the LFF to close the 70th edition of the festival with his funny and heartfelt film, The Debut.

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.”

Lionsgate will release The Debut in U.K. cinemas on Jan. 15, 2027.