Jesse Eisenberg's musical comedy "The Debut" closed the London Film Festival on Sunday, October 18, Variety and Reuters reported. It was the festival's 70th edition, Reuters reported. Eisenberg and star Julianne Moore introduced the film at the Royal Festival Hall, Variety reported.

Moore plays Mona, a shy New Jersey housewife who is cast in a community theater musical, Variety and Reuters reported. Paul Giamatti plays the show's director, and Halle Bailey is also in the cast.

Eisenberg, who wrote and directed the film, said he wrote the lead role with Moore in mind, Variety and Reuters reported. "I will write every scene with her in mind and what she likes to do and what she's great at," Eisenberg said on the red carpet, according to Reuters.

Moore called the film an "incredible gift" and "one of the best scripts I've ever read in my entire life," Variety reported. She called Eisenberg "a beautiful writer, exemplary director and just a great talent," Variety reported.

Eisenberg said the story grew out of his own childhood in community theater, Variety and Reuters reported. He wrote seven original songs for the musical inside the film, Reuters reported. Guests found fake programs for that musical, "Nosy Neighbors," at their seats, Variety reported.

Giamatti could not attend because he has COVID-19, Eisenberg said, according to Variety. The audience laughed out loud and applauded several times during the screening, Variety reported.

Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa's "Imperium" won Best Film in the festival's Official Competition, Reuters reported. Eisenberg also joked that he hopes never to act alongside his childhood heroes again because he found it so distracting, Variety reported.

What we know: "The Debut" closed the London Film Festival on Sunday, with Eisenberg and Moore at the screening.
What we don't: How the film will do with wider audiences, since its run so far has been at festivals.