The 66th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express, have announced that this year’s opening night film will be Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical.

.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is an inspirational musical tale of an extraordinary girl who discovers her superpower and summons the remarkable courage, against all odds, to help others change their stories, whilst also taking charge of her own destiny. Standing up for what’s right, she’s met with miraculous results.

.

Director Matthew Warchus, the Tony Award-winning director who also developed and directed the stage show for both London’s West End and Broadway, released a statement saying:

What a delight to be opening this tremendous film festival with singing, dancing, green hair and chocolate cake. It’s a real honour to be sharing this joyful and empowering tale of a little girl’s courage and compassion at such a prestigious event.

.

BFI London Film Festival director, Tricia Tuttle, also released a statement saying:

Like so many people who have been lucky enough to see it, I am a massive fan of this original stage musical, with Tim Minchin’s infectiously brilliant songs bringing new depth to a classic of children’s literature. With screenwriter Dennis Kelly, Matthew Warchus has smartly adapted his own production for the screen with absolute verve and gusto. And what a cast: Alisha Weir is a revelation as Matilda; Emma Thompson is a chillingly nasty Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch’s Miss Honey will melt your heart. It’s a delight to host the world premiere of this exceptional all-ages musical film in our opening night spot and take it out to audiences across the UK with Sony Pictures. This is a rollicking, rousing story about sticking together and fighting back against the bullies of the world, even when that seems scary. Sometimes you have to get a little bit naughty!.

.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is a Working Title Films/Roald Dahl Story Company production, with the film produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title, with Jon Finn and Luke Kelly of The Roald Dahl Story Company. The screenplay is adapted by Dennis Kelly, with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

.

The film, starring Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Sindhu Vee, and introducing Alisha Weir as Matilda, will be released by Sony Pictures UK and TriStar Pictures across the UK and Ireland exclusively in cinemas on the 2nd December 2022. Netflix will release the film across the world (excluding the UK and Ireland) this holiday season.