BFI Reuben Library

Our library at BFI Southbank is available to everyone, free of charge. It contains a huge collection of books, journals and digitised material about the world of film, television and the moving image. Our priority is comprehensive coverage of the UK, but the collection is international in scope.

BFI Reuben Library Photograph by Morten Odding

Upcoming library closures

Please be aware the BFI Reuben Library will be closed on Saturday 4 May due to the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) 2024. See details of the New Writings from the UK Asian Film Festival event.

For more information on the wider films and events in the UKAFF, including an industry workshop and networking programme on 4 May in the Blue Room, visit tonguesonfire.com

The BFI Reuben Library will also be closed on Tuesday 7 May due to the ongoing building works at BFI Southbank. We apologise for any inconvenience these closures may cause, please check back here for further updates.

Visiting the library

How to find the library, access information and request materials in advance.

Search the collections

Search our database of the films, TV, images, scripts, books and journals we hold.

Search the collections

Digital library on demand service

Request scans of book chapters or journal articles if you can't visit in person.

Library reading room

The Edwin Fox Foundation Reading Room is open to anyone – from BFI Southbank cinemagoers to researchers.

Events programme

We host a range of talks and events throughout the year.

Explore the Library events programme

BFI Reuben Library team

Biographies and research interests of the BFI Reuben Library team.

Library policies

Our acquisition and donations policies, and our commitments to helping visitors and researchers.

We would like to thank our generous supporters.

Principal funders
The Reuben Foundation

Major benefactors
The Edwin Fox Foundation

Additional support
The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation