Autumn's favourite film festivals

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The BFI London Film Festival has long been one of the most important dates in the cinematic calendar, and, as it celebrates its 60th anniversary, this year's edition (5 to 16 October) is one not to be missed. A temporary 780-seat cinema – one of the biggest in the capital – will be set up in Victoria Embankment Gardens especially for the occasion, and will be one of the key destinations alongside other movie houses across London.

Over the 12 days, visitors can expect a diverse programme of 193 fiction films and 52 documentaries, ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to independent productions. The festival will open with the European premiere of Amma Asante's A United Kingdom, starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, while other hotly anticipated screenings include upbeat musical comedy La La Land, featuring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, and Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea.

The Raindance Film Festival, which runs from 21 September to 2 October in locations across the West End, may not have the same level of glitz and glamour, but it provides a new insight on the industry. The largest independent film festival in Europe, it will screen 90 feature films and 85 short films from directors at the cutting edge of cinema. This year will see a particular spotlight shone on the work of women in film, as well as a strand dedicated to the crucial contributions of the LGBT+ community.

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Across the pond is the Toronto International Film Festival, from 8 to 18 September. What originally started as "a collection of films from other festivals" 40 years ago has turned into one of cinema's most star-studded events. Its line-up is as impressive as ever, featuring many of the big-hitters seen across other festivals, as well as showcasing the best of independent Canadian cinema. Beyond the film screenings, there will be a comprehensive programme of interactive events and immersive experiences, such as "In Conversation With…" events with personalities such as Mark Wahlberg.

Hot on its heels, the New York Film Festival, from 30 September to 16 October, brings together movies chosen by the prestigious Film Society of Lincoln Center. Its main slate of 25 feature films includes top prizewinners from the Cannes and Berlin film festivals. Elsewhere, a line-up of special events will give personal insight into the works, from Iggy Pop and Jim Jarmusch on the new documentary Gimme Danger to the festival's "An Evening With…" series, an intimate night of dinner and conversation with an actor – 2016 features Star Wars and Girls actor Adam Driver and Twilight star Kristen Stewart.