BFI London Film Festival

The British Film Institute is running its 55h London Film Festival this October. The event will be running from the 12– 27 October. In partnership with American Express, the 16 day festival will screen 204 fiction and documentary features which include 13 world premieres, 18 international premieres and 22 European premieres.

Not only that, but there will also be 110 live action and animated short films. Attendees will not only exclusively witness the films but they will also see the movies being presented by the directors and the cast members of the production. As a treat, selected directors and actors will be taking part in the festivals master classes, career interviews and other special events.

Although there will many acts from all across the globe, New British Cinema is really shining this year with a showing of Nirpal Bhogal’s eye opening urban drama ‘Sket’. Director Alexandra McGuiness showcases London’s indulgent, fast paced youth of today in ‘Lotus Eaters’. British work has really excelled outside of the box and this evident when seeing Richard Jobson’s response to the Iraq war, ‘The Somnabulists’, which is bound to be controversial and moving. If that isn’t gripping enough, the film ‘Asshole’ will definitely turn heads. The cult classic in the making was created by director Kaushik Mukherjee about a deluded and confused young man falling into a world of drugs and fantasy.

As well as the fabulous screenings, the festival is hosting a generous programme of public events such as on-stage interviews, master classes and panel discussions. These events will feature directors Michael Winterbottom and Alexander Payne. Other highlights will include an in-depth look at the making of ‘We Need to Talk about Kevin’, with members of the cast and crew exclusively joining in the discussion.

The BFI London Film Festival Awards are unique in recognising creative excellence in the UK. The awards take place on the 26 October at LSO St Lukes. Some of the awards to be dished out on the night will be: Best Film, Best Documentary and Best British Newcomer Award. This year awards shortlists will be revealed on 4 October so keep it posted to bfi.org.uk/lff and get voting when the poll opens!