It’s not like PM works for bfi, they’re giving him an award. I think the Netflix connection is more meaningful somehow. But if your suggestion is correct about bfi then doesn’t that just increase the likelihood that one or the other will be at each other’s event that night? And why is bfi having an event on the same night as one of their movie premieres so close by?

I’d be curious to know the level of participation in this movie. It can be just a push for promotion, or it could be more.
As a British actress and writer, PM and Gillian have to be linked with BFI, somehow. PM definitely has a high level of partnership with them. They don’t reward everybody, and as everything else in this business, it’s always a win-win thing. BFI aren’t philanthropist, they must also gain something for throwing such an event.
On the other hand, I don’t think BFI has anything to do with the production of VH. I think they will be highly involved with the promotion in the U.K., though. PM’s dinner is an important event for them, every important British people of this business will attend, and if I were them, I’d push for Gillian to be there too. It would make sense considering she has an upcoming movie and probably is or will be involved in PM’s projects. So it could mean that, or I could just be reaching a lot!

I said I wouldn’t be completely surprised to see Gillian at his event, but I really don’t believe he will attend hers, though, and I still don’t think she will attend as his date anyway.