Ben Taylor’s drama film Joy starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy will World Premiere as the Cunard Gala of the 68th BFI London Film Festival .

Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the ground-breaking birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first ‘test-tube- baby’, and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible. Told through the perspective of Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie), a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The beautifully crafted period drama celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this maverick trio of visionaries who overcame tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream, and in doing so allowed millions of people to dream with them.

Director Ben Taylor said: “I am truly honoured that my debut film, Joy, will receive its world premiere at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. This is a far too little-known story of British scientific achievement and it feels perfect to celebrate these three maverick pioneers – and their world changing innovation of IVF – here at home. Joy is a very personal story for me, as I am sure it will be for many of our audience. But beyond the personal, I hope this film will have all the more resonance today when infertility and issues of choice are so much in the spotlight.”

Joy will have its World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday 15th October; and will be released in select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from the 15th of November before launching on Netflix globally on the 22nd of November, 2024.

The 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 9 October – Sunday 20 October, 2024.