67th BFI London Film Festival to host October 14th gala screening of the award-winning animation studio’s ‘Chicken Run’ sequel at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.
Aardman’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, the highly anticipated sequel to its hugely successful stop-motion feature, Chicken Run, has been added to the 67th BFI London Film Festival program, running October 4-15. The animated film, from the legendary and award-winning animation studio behind Creature Comforts, Wallace & Gromit, and Shaun the Sheep, is helmed by award-winning director Sam Fell (ParaNorman and Flushed Away).
The world premiere gala screening of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget has been set for October 14 at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with support from the Mayor of London and Film London. Simultaneous preview screenings will play in multiple cinemas across the U.K. The film debuts globally on Netflix December 15.
In the movie, having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream – a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland, the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk – this time, they’re breaking in!
The film stars Thandiwe Newton (Ginger); Zachary Levi (Rocky); Bella Ramsey (Molly); Imelda Staunton (Bunty); Lynn Ferguson (Mac); David Bradley (Fowler); Jane Horrocks (Babs); Romesh Ranganathan (Nick); Daniel Mays (Fetcher); Josie Sedgwick-Davies (Frizzle); and Nick Mohammed (Dr Fry).
“What an honor to world premiere our film on home turf at the London Film Festival this year,” commented Fell. “Dawn of the Nugget showcases the amazing talent and ingenuity of the crew at Aardman backed by the enduring passion of the team at Netflix. We’ve poured everything we’ve got into making this a treat for both die-hard fans and the new generation of families discovering Chicken Run for the first time.”
Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director, added, “We are so excited to be sharing the magic and artistry of the Aardman studio and their favorite feathered friends with audiences this October with a film that's brimming with fun and has such enormous heart.”
“I am delighted that Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will receive its world premiere at the gala screening at this year’s BFI London Film Festival,” concluded Simons Obe, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries. “This highly anticipated sequel to the hugely successful Chicken Run features an all-star cast and shows off Aardman’s award-winning creativity in a family film that is packed with fun and laughter. London’s annual film festival shows why our capital is a global hub for film and television, and, after a hugely successful summer for our big screens, I’m determined to continue doing all I can to support the growth of the industry as we build a better London for everyone.”
The 67th edition of the BFI London Film Festival will take place in the following venues:
- The Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall returns as gala venue.
- BFI Southbank, home of the competition program, features screen talks and LFF free events.
- BFI IMAX, the U.K.’s biggest screen, will host LFF screenings.
- Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf hosts an expanded exhibition of immersive storytelling with selected works at Outernet.
- Five partner cinemas in London's West End include Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Prince Charles Cinema, and Vue West End.
- Festival venues across the U.K. include Broadway Cinema in Nottingham; Chapter in Cardiff; Glasgow Film Theatre; HOME in Manchester; MAC in Birmingham; Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast; Showroom Cinema in Sheffield; Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle; and Watershed in Bristol.
- Picturehouse Central and ODEON Luxe Leicester Square will host press and industry screenings.
In addition to U.K.-wide screenings at the festival venues, audiences can explore LFF programs past and present with a special collection of films on BFI Player.
Source: BFI London Film Festival
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
