One of the most talked-about stories in recent technology history is heading for the big screen. Artificial, a new film directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Andrew Garfield, has been announced as a Gala presentation at the 70th BFI London Film Festival this October.
The film turns the extraordinary few days surrounding Sam Altman’s sudden departure and return as CEO of OpenAI into a major Hollywood drama. With a strong cast, a celebrated director and a subject that still feels very current, Artificial is likely to be one of the festival’s most closely watched films.
1. The story comes from one of Silicon Valley’s strangest weeks
Artificial centres on the events that led to Sam Altman being unexpectedly removed as CEO of OpenAI in November 2023, followed by his remarkable return just days later.
What might once have sounded like a fairly niche piece of Silicon Valley corporate drama quickly became a much bigger story. OpenAI was already at the centre of the rapid growth of generative AI, so the question of who would control the company – and potentially influence the direction of the technology itself – attracted attention around the world.
That is the period the film explores, turning boardroom battles and competing ambitions into a story about power, loyalty and the future of artificial intelligence.
2. Andrew Garfield leads an unusually strong cast
Andrew Garfield heads the cast, but there are plenty of other reasons to take notice.
Artificial also stars Yura Borisov, Monica Barbaro, Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman and Chris O’Dowd, with Ike Barinholtz and Mark Rylance also appearing.
It is an impressive ensemble for a film based on events that happened only a few years ago, and it will be particularly interesting to see how such a recent and well-documented story is turned into a feature film.
3. Luca Guadagnino is behind the camera
The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, the filmmaker behind Call Me by Your Name, Challengers and Queer, with the screenplay written by Simon Rich.
Guadagnino is not an obvious choice for a conventional technology biopic, which could work in the film’s favour. Rather than simply recreating a sequence of corporate meetings, Artificial has the potential to become something more character-driven: a film about the personalities, relationships and ambitions behind one of the world’s most influential technology companies.
4. London gets a major Gala screening in October
Artificial will be presented as a Gala at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on Sunday 11 October 2026, with talent from the film expected to attend.
The festival itself runs from Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 18 October and remains one of the biggest dates in London’s film calendar, bringing premieres, major international releases and filmmakers to venues across the capital.
The complete 2026 festival programme is being revealed on Wednesday 2 September, so there will be plenty more announcements to come.
5. Tickets go on sale later this month
Tickets for the BFI London Film Festival go on general sale on 17 September, with BFI Members receiving earlier booking access.
Artificial is likely to attract considerable interest. Andrew Garfield alone will bring a large audience, while the combination of Guadagnino, Mark Rylance and a story about OpenAI gives the film an appeal well beyond the usual technology crowd.
For anyone fascinated by AI, Silicon Valley or simply a good real-life power struggle, this could be one of the most interesting London film events of the autumn.
Artificial screens as a Gala at the BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2026.
The 70th BFI London Film Festival runs from 7–18 October 2026.
Tickets go on general sale on 17 September.
Find the latest festival programme and ticket information at bfi.org.uk.
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