The first seven UK directors have been unveiled for London, I Love You, with Gurinder Chadha, Shane Meadows, Amma Asante, and Anand Tucker on board for the fifth instalment in the ‘Cities Of Love’ franchise that will begin production in April 2026.
Simon Curtis, Neil Marshall, and Rufus Norris round out the initial roster of filmmakers who will each write and direct a short romantic film in homage to London. Additional directors are currently in negotiations and will be announced in advance of casting.
David Gilbery and Naomi George produce for BK Studios, with Tom Butterfield for Culmination Productions, and Mark Wheeler for Pathfinder. Culmination’s Harry White will handle worldwide sales. Franchise creator and curator Emmanuel Benbihy continues to guide the series as an executive producer.
It is understood the intention is for the project to get a theatrical release. Prior instalments, including Berlin, I Love You and New York, I Love You, received small theatrical releases in North America and internationally. Chadha contributed to the 2006 release, Paris, Je T’Aime.
Butterfield said: “London stands as a living heartbeat of hope, resilience, and love, a city where millions of stories intersect every day. From a chance encounter on the Tube, in the parks, and through the bustling streets, from Hampstead to Brixton, and Hackney to Notting Hill, London is a tapestry woven from every culture and generation.”
Benbihy added: “The London instalment of ‘Cities Of Love’ will celebrate the birthplace of some of cinema’s most beloved romantic comedies, paying tribute to that uniquely British blend of wit, warmth, and longing, where humour and heartbreak often walk hand-in-hand.”
Culmination Productions is in post-production on the thriller Double Blind, starring LaKeith Stanfield and directed by John Hyams. BK Studios and Culmination last teamed up on Tucker’s period thriller The Critic.
BK Studios titles include fantasy drama Eternal Return starring Naomi Scott and Kit Harington, The Critic with Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton, and The Shepherd starring John Travolta. The company is currently in production on the romantic comedy Frank & Percy starring McKellen and Roger Allam.
Pathfinder has handled library rights for the Robert E. Howard catalogue on behalf of Funcom/Tencent and has financed or produced a range of projects.
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