# Ian Charleson biopic Elsinore to open BFI London Film Festival

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/andrew-scotts-elsinore-to-open-london-film-festival/
- Published: 2026-07-29T16:32:07+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-29T22:47:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/andrew-scott-elsinore-open-london-film-festival-1236823200/
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Europe, Film, World

## Key points

- "Elsinore" opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival on 7 October
- Andrew Scott stars as and produces the Ian Charleson biopic
- UK release 29 January (StudioCanal); US release 20 November (Focus Features)

## Summary

"Elsinore," a biographical drama starring Andrew Scott as Scottish actor Ian Charleson, opened the 70th BFI London Film Festival with its European premiere gala on 7 October at the Royal Festival Hall, next door to the National Theatre. Directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford, the film dramatises Charleson's efforts to deliver an acclaimed Hamlet at the National Theatre before his death, and the choice reflects the festival's decision to open with a project rooted firmly in London's theatre world.

The gala drew Scott, who also produced the film, alongside cast members including Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn, Luke Thompson, Monica Dolan, Matthew Beard, Joe Locke, Adeel Akhtar, Juliet Stevenson and Peter Mullan. Producers alongside Scott included Andrea Occhipinti, Gabrielle Tana, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell, Stefano Massenzi and Carolyn Marks Blackwood. "Elsinore" is set for wide UK release on 29 January via StudioCanal, and in US cinemas from 20 November via Focus Features.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Ian Charleson biopic Elsinore to open BFI London Film Festival](https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/andrew-scott-elsinore-open-london-film-festival-1236823200/)
- [The Hollywood Reporter: Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman-Starrer ‘Elsinore’ Set to Open London Film Festival](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/andrew-scott-olivia-colman-elsinore-london-film-festival-1236658959/)
- [Deadline: ‘Elsinore’ Starring Andrew Scott & Olivia Colman To Open London Film Festival ](https://deadline.com/2026/07/elsinore-andrew-scott-olivia-colman-london-film-festival-1237006512/)
- [The Guardian: Andrew Scott’s Oscar-tipped Ian Charleson biopic to open London film festival](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/29/elsinore-andrew-scott-ian-charleson-biopic-open-london-film-festival)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.