The 61st BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® is thrilled to serve up BATTLE OF THE SEXES, starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell, as this year’s American Express Gala at this year’s Festival. The film will receive its European Premiere on Saturday 7 October at London’s Odeon Leicester Square, with Emma Stone, Andrea Riseborough, Elisabeth Shue, directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, and the legendary Billie Jean King expected to attend. The BFI London Film Festival, Fox Searchlight Pictures and American Express® are also delighted to announce that there will be screenings of BATTLE OF THE SEXES with highlights from the festival premiere taking place at cinemas across the UK on Tuesday 10 October.
In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement, the 1973 tennis match between women’s world champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men’s-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) developed. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue). Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
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Starring Academy Award® winner Emma Stone and Academy Award® nominee Steve Carell as 1970’s tennis greats Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, BATTLE OF THE SEXES is directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton from a screenplay by Academy Award® winner Simon Beaufoy. BATTLE OF THE SEXES also stars Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming and Academy Award® nominee Elisabeth Shue.
The film is produced by Cloud Eight Films’ Christian Colson and Decibel Films’ Danny Boyle, the team behind Academy Award® winning and nominated films such as Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours and Steve Jobs. Also producing is Robert Graf, who has previously collaborated with the directors on Ruby Sparks and has produced such projects as Hail, Caesar and No Country for Old Men.
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Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director, says: “We are delighted that Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton’s BATTLE OF THE SEXES will be this year's American Express Gala. This playful, funny and moving film is a rousing tribute to Billie Jean King whose impact on gender politics was as powerful as her legendary forehand.”
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Christian Colson, producer BATTLE OF THE SEXES says: "Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, together with our exceptional ensemble led by Emma Stone and Steve Carell, have brought Simon Beaufoy's richly textured screenplay joyously to life and I can't wait to share the film with my fellow Londoners at LFF".
Twentieth Century Fox will release the film across the UK and Ireland on 24 November.
The 61st BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® takes place from Wednesday 4 October-Sunday 15 October 2017. The full Festival programme will be announced on Thursday 31 August 2017.
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Festival Information & Ticket Booking BFI Members’ priority booking opens 10.00am, 7 September - join at www.bfi.org.uk/join Amex priority booking opens at 10.00am, 12 September Public booking opens 10.00am, 14 September Telephone Bookings: 020 7928 3232 between 10:00 – 20:30 Online: www.bfi.org.uk/lff In person: BFI Southbank Office: 10:00 – 20:30
BATTLE OF THE SEXES Assets For assets please see below link to details: https://foxpublicity.thinkjam.com/battleofthesexes/ Username - Battleofthesexes Password - Ba11le
For further press information and general enquiries about the 61st BFI London Film Festival
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Please note separate DDA and Four Colman Getty details for the BFI LFF sections:
OPENING/CLOSING AND HEADLINE GALAS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS and ASSOCIATED SCREEN TALKS: DDA Email: LFFPress@ddapr.com | Tel: +44 +207 932 9800 Head of Press: Kate Hudson Festival Publicity Assistant: Yasmin Purves
For Headline Gala Red Carpet Media Enquiries: DDA Media Manager: Hannah Proudlock Email: Hannah.Proudlock@ddapr.com | Tel: +44 207 932 9800
ACCREDITATION TO THE FESTIVAL, MAIN FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AND STRAND GALAS, LFF AWARDS and EVENTS: Four Colman Getty Email: LFF@fourcommunications.com | Tel: + 44 20 3697 4262 Accreditation: laura.steele@fourcommunications.com | +44 20 3697 4241 Project Lead: Matt Railton Title PR Lead: Jon Rushton
GENERAL ENQUIRIES 61st BFI London Film Festival enquiries BFI London Film Festival PR Manager: Mia Farrell Email: Mia.Farrell@bfi.org.uk | Tel: +44 (0)20 7957 8970
BFI Head of Press and PR: Judy Wells Tel: +44 (0)7984 180 501
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For further details on the UK release of BATTLE OF THE SEXES FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES UK – Rupert Goodwin - Rupert.Goodwin@fox.com Freud Communications: Vicky.Grayson@freuds.com, Claire.Wilson@freuds.com ThinkJam (Online enquiries): battleofthesexes@thinkjam.com
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NOTES TO EDITORS About the BFI The BFI is the lead organisation for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:
The BFI is a Government arm’s-length body and distributor of Lottery funds for film. The BFI serves a public role which covers the cultural, creative and economic aspects of film in the UK. It delivers this role:
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Josh Berger.
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The BFI London Film Festival BFI London Film Festival is Britain's leading film event and one of the world's best film festivals. It introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience and attracts significant international film industry participation. LFF is a compelling combination of diverse films, red carpet glamour, friendly audiences and vibrant exchange. LFF provides an essential profiling opportunity for films seeking global success; promotes the careers of British and international filmmakers through its industry and awards programmes and positions London as the world’s leading creative city.
Clare Stewart Biography Clare Stewart’s 21 year programming career has encompassed leadership roles as Festival Director, Sydney Film Festival (2006-2011) and the inaugural Head of Film Programs at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne (2002-2006) as well as various roles at the Australian Film Institute (1996-2001), including Exhibition Manager, and programmer and Committee Member of the Melbourne Cinémathèque (1995-2002). She has been BFI Head of Festivals and BFI London Film Festival Director since October 2011.
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BATTLE OF THE SEXES Gala screening at 61st London FIlm Festival Announced
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