After you’ve gone through our selection, you’ll be thanking us. This is the 56th edition of the event and includes a massive 225 features, 14 of which are world premieres and also some that Swide have cited as must-sees, before. From Trafalgar Square, Empire and old school cinemas, the venues will be playing host to audiences will have something for everyone. To help whittle down the options you have, Swide are here to give you the top 5 films to catch this edition.

Argo

First up with have Ben Affleck’s new film. Based on the events in Tehran, Iran, during the revolution of 1979, this sees Affleck’s directing skills on amazing form. Delivering a humorous account of the events during the hostage crisis, this film is a smart move after the success of ‘The Town’ and ‘Gone Baby Gone’. Argo allows Affleck to display that he can turn his hand to more than one genre and that he can handle political subjects carefully and maturely. Even though the film isn’t stamped with the usual Hollywood sheen, the opening night 17 October is sure to attended by movie world’s big guns.

Seven Psychopaths

Director Martin McDough, the man responsible for the amazing In Bruges (2008), brings his hard man film to London, Seven Psychopaths. With Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish and a load of other good looking guys in the mix, this isn’t only going to be a bringing in the audiences who are in the mood from a spot of comedy action. The film follows the plights of a struggling screenwriter who gets mixed up with criminal underworld of Los Angeles after his friend kidnaps gang leader Woody Harrelson’s beloved Shih Tzu. Obviously, it all goes horribly wrong and the laughs come thick and fast.

Beast of the Southern Wild

Benh Zeitlin’s debut has been described as ‘a surrealistic interpretation of Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’’ and is a story of a little girl named ‘Hushpuppy’ living in a town called Bathtub that has been cut off from the world by a huge water protection system. The fantasy is seen through the eyes of Hushpuppy and caught the imagination of the judges at Cannes, where it took the Camera d’Or for best first feature. His inspiration is steeped in his fascination of Louisiana, the result of shared tragedy within a community and those that are drawn there and remain there, post-Hurricane Katrina. ‘Beast of the Southern Wild’ is a strong debut and requires your attention. It opens on 12 October.

Sister

The debut from Ursula Meier in 2008, Home, was met with great praise when shown at the London Film Festival. This year sees her return with another feature that takes a look at dysfunction and dissolution, focussing on the relationship between an orphaned sister and brother in Switzerland. It stars Gillian Anderson and Lea Seydoux and is both bleak and smouldering. Do not miss it.

Rust and Bone

Starring Marion Cotillard , Matthias Schoenaerts and Armand Verdure, Rust and Bone studies the themes found within an unexpected relationship between Ali and Stephanie, a killer whale trainer. The strength of their bond grows deeper after a horrific accident involving Stephanie is told through, what has been regarded as, a rather eccentric film with a whole lot of heart. Director Jacques Audiard’s film is sure to please those who take the chance to watch it, just like it did the critics.  Oh… and then there is also the scene that uses Katy Perry’s song, Firework, with amazing results. Trust me when I say, ‘have your tissues at the ready’.

Written by Ben Taylor