The gala will be hosted at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 16 October with screenings around the UK.
The 69th BFI London Film Festival (8th-19th October) in partnership with American Express has confirmed that this year’s American Express Gala will be the UK premiere of Searchlight Pictures Rental Family, with director HIKARI and star Brendan Fraser expected to attend.
Directed and co-written by HIKARI (37 SECONDS, BEEF) and Stephen Blahut , the film follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.
As well as Brendan Fraser, the film is set to star Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman and Akira Emoto.
Talking about the news, HIKARI, said: “I feel so humbled and honoured to return to the 2025 BFI London Film Festival with my second feature, Rental Family, and with a gala presentation! While it’s inspired by a real, and sometimes unusual, business in Japan, it’s ultimately about people longing for connection, and discovering the meaning of true friendship in modern Tokyo. I hope Rental Family offers a bit of escapism to Japan and a few laughs!”
The 69th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 8 October – Sunday 19 October, 2025. The full festival programme will be revealed on Wednesday 3 September 2025, with tickets on sale from 16 September.