The British Film Institute (BFI) has unveiled its exciting program for January 2026, featuring the David Lynch retrospective titled “David Lynch: The Dreamer.” This event is set to honor the iconic filmmaker at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX.
David Lynch: The Dreamer Retrospective
This retrospective, curated by Kimberley Sheehan and Justin Johnson, will celebrate Lynch’s unique vision. It will showcase some of his most significant films, innovative shorts, and contextual events dedicated to his influence in cinema.
Program Highlights
- Opening Event: The season begins on 7 January with “The Cinematic Visions of David Lynch.”
- Featured Guests: Notable speakers include writer Simran Hans and author Tom Huddleston.
- Film Screenings: The season will screen renowned works including:
- Eraserhead (1977)
- The Elephant Man (1980) – Introduced by Dexter Fletcher on 27 January
- Dune (1984)
- Blue Velvet (1986)
- Wild at Heart (1990)
- Lost Highway (1997)
- The Straight Story (1999)
- Mulholland Drive (2001)
- Inland Empire (2006)
- David Lynch: The Art Life (2016)—a documentary by Jon Nguyen
- New Documentary Preview: “Welcome to Lynchland” will premiere on 3 January, featuring insights from collaborators like Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern.
Special Events
The BFI will also host special events throughout the month. On 15 January, the Philosophical Screens series returns, focusing on Lynch’s neo-noir film, “Lost Highway.”
In addition, an exploration of Richard Linklater’s upcoming film, “Nouvelle Vague,” will be presented. The film opens with previews from 23 January.
- Women Filmmakers Highlight: A short season dedicated to Tina Gharavi and Gurinder Chadha’s works will occur, curated by Wendy Russell and Grace Johnston.
- In-Person Events: Gharavi will discuss her filmography on 23 January, while Chadha will present her works on 30 January.
Other notable activities include a January preview of “Lord of the Flies,” featuring a Q&A session with creators on 26 January, and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” preview on 16 January.
Upcoming Initiatives
The January program also features a full day of discussions and workshops during “The Woman With a Movie Camera Summit” on 24 January.
The BFI encourages audiences to dive into these cinematic experiences and reflect on the lasting impact of David Lynch and other filmmakers at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX throughout January 2026.
