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Film legend Steven Spielberg made a surprise appearance at the 69th BFI London Film Festival on Saturday night, joining the premiere of Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet and delivering a heartfelt tribute to the director. The event, held at the Royal Festival Hall, turned into an emotional celebration of artistry, friendship, and storytelling.
Spielberg, who also serves as a producer on the film, received a standing ovation as he walked on stage before the screening. He recalled first meeting Zhao at a dinner for Oscar-nominated directors shortly after her Nomadland win, describing how their friendship blossomed over conversations about filmmaking and the natural world.
“We became friends and we’d have lunch together at Amblin and I’m just amazed by her,” Spielberg said. “I really believe the earth has a heartbeat. It’s a 24/7 seismic cycle, and all of us are connected to this heartbeat which happens right under our feet. But Chloé Zhao is connected to it in a profound way because it’s where her art comes from. It’s what she brings to set every day, and I really believe that when you see Hamnet, you’ll be able to feel the seismic heartbeat of the earth because of Chloé Zhao.”
The moment captured the deep mutual respect between two generations of filmmaking visionaries. Zhao, visibly moved by Spielberg’s words, later took the stage to express her gratitude and vulnerability. “I am very emotional, so I ask for your grace,” she said. “Making a film on this island with this village has given me a deep feeling of community, of safety that I don’t think I’ve ever experienced before. It helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I don’t take it for granted, especially in a world that is becoming increasingly lonesome.”
Before the screening began, Zhao led the audience through a short breathing exercise, inviting them to experience the film with openness and empathy. “All emotions are welcome,” she told the crowd—a line that seemed to encapsulate both her artistic philosophy and the spirit of Hamnet.
The film, starring Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes, explores the grief and love that inspired Hamlet. Following its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, Hamnet received critical acclaim and won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge described it as “so emotionally raw as to be almost excruciating at times,” singling out Buckley’s “heroic performance” as the heart of the film.
Mescal praised Zhao during the London premiere, calling her “one of the great witches of our day” for the atmosphere she creates on set. His comment echoed the reverence shared by both cast and crew for Zhao’s distinctive storytelling style.
Hamnet will begin its limited theatrical release in the U.S. and Canada on November 27 through Focus Features, expanding nationwide on December 12. Universal Pictures will distribute the film in the U.K., where it opens on January 9, 2026.
As the night drew to a close, one thing was clear: Zhao’s Hamnet had not only captivated audiences but also earned the admiration of one of cinema’s greatest masters. Spielberg’s tribute—equal parts poetic and profound—set the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the year’s most emotionally resonant films.
