Film... (TV programme)

The show was first hosted by several presenters, including Jacky Gillott, Joan Bakewell, Frederic Raphael, Iain Johnstone, and Barry Norman.

[6] With the series now described as the BBC's flagship cinema review, Norman's departure to Sky was said by The Guardian in 2002 to have been "seismic", and due to its nature and timing, his exit was described as being acrimonious.

Ross, described by the BBC as a long-time film buff and fan of cult movies, stated that he had dreamt of doing the job since childhood.

[3][12] However, in March 2010, Kermode said that he han't been contacted about hosting the show which he said "requires a mainstream sensibility",[16] and instead Winkleman was announced as a surprise choice for the presenter's role.

"[19] The Guardian stated, through her recent hosting of Sky Television's coverage of the Oscars, Winkleman had "proved both a passionate and engaging advocate of cinema," while her husband Kris Thykier is a film producer with credits on several mainstream releases.

Clara Amfo, Zoe Ball, Edith Bowman, Charlie Brooker, Al Murray and Antonia Quirke have all hosted at least twice.

These included: Peter Bradshaw, Rhianna Dhillon, Chris Hewitt, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Tim Robey, and Jason Solomons.

In December 2018 the BBC dropped the show and, despite a spokesperson promising "an enhanced offer for lovers of film", fans were still dismayed by the change.