A galaxy far, far away has gotten just a little bit closer: George Lucas’ original 1977 theatrical cut of “Star Wars” is screening publicly for the first time in decades thanks to the BFI Film on Film Festival. “Star Wars” will open the 2025 festival June 12, as shown in a dye transfer IB Technicolor print first produced for the initial British release (the print is preserved in the BFI National Archive).
Since the release of the Special Edition version in 1997 — updated with CGI effects, to the consternation of many fans, and even re-edited to include an additional scene with Jabba the Hutt confronting Han Solo — that version has been the only Lucasfilm has made available for screenings.
In addition to the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to view material from the original continuity script for “Star Wars,” which includes rare on-set Polaroids, annotations, and deleted scenes. The script is from the collection of Ann Skinner, the script editor on the original film, and is now cared for by the BFI National Archive.
The second annual BFI Film on Film Festival will close with a 35mm UK premiere of late auteur David Lynch’s 1990 series “Twin Peaks.” Alum Kyle MacLachlan will present the pilot episode at the festival; the show marks its 35th anniversary this year. MacLachlan will also participate in a post-screening Q&A at the festival.
The BFI Film on Film Festival is billed as a “celebration of the medium of ‘film’ itself, where every film, without exception, is projected from a print,” according to BFI. “The festival provides a unique, cinematic experience that enables audiences to enjoy film in all its glory, exploring its aesthetics and celebrating the skills required to work with it.”
“The BFI Film on Film Festival is a true showcase for the richness of the BFI National Archive, and the expertise of our curators, archivists and projectionists,” James Bell, the Senior Curator of Fiction, BFI National Archive and Program Director of the BFI Film on Film Festival, said. “Every print in the program is a unique object, with its own life story, and they all bear their scars with pride. They put us at touching distance to the past, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience them all. We’re grateful for the generous support from philanthropic champions who have helped us deliver a rich and exciting program that keeps Film on Film alive.”
Check out the full list of films at the 2025 BFI Film on Film Festival here.
