LFF Connects, the festival’s brand new series of provocative panels exploring the future of film itself and its engagement with other industries, now includes conversations with Laurie Anderson and Guy Maddin. They join previously announced Christopher Nolan and artist Tacita Dean, who will launch the talks on Friday, October 9.
READ MORE: Christopher Nolan to Address Film Preservation at London Film Fest
Anderson, whose acclaimed Telluride premiere “Heart of a Dog” will also play the BFI London Film Festival, will discuss her multimedia approach to filmmaking and how it intersects with her work in art, performance and music on Thursday, October 15.
On Saturday, October 10 Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin will discuss his experimental silent movie ode “The Forbidden Room” (co-directed by Evan Johnson) and its roots in an interactive installation he staged in Paris and Montreal.
Also coming to LFF Connects, LA-based virtual reality maestro Chris Milk will discuss the creative and emotional possibilities of Virtual Reality filmmaking on Monday, October 12.
The London Film Festival (October 7 to 18) has also slated the following industry events. Language courtesy of the fest.
-A new partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Women in Film and Television
(WFTV) will see the Festival host the Institute’s first Global Symposium outside the US on 8 October, the
day after the Festival opens with Sarah Gavron’s highly-anticipated Suffragette. The symposium will
explore the impact of film on global issues concerning women and girls, addressing gender equality in film
and empowering women and girls through film.
-Power to the Pixel: The Cross-Media Forum (PttP) held in association with the Festival takes place from
13-16 October comprising The Pixel Market which will present 35 cross-platform and interactive projects
from across Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and South America to international financiers and
commissioners; a Conference offering a series of boundary pushing talks and case studies from
international industry experts; and Virtual Stories, a free exhibition of virtual reality projects by leading
international filmmakers and digital artists.
Film London Production Finance Market (PFM). This two-day event focuses on facilitating over 800 face-
to-face meetings between producers and financiers from the international marketplace, to foster
relationships and source financing for specific projects. A keynote address, workshops and networking
opportunities are also part of the event.
-Film London Micro Market. This innovative micro-budget finance market provides 25 filmmaking teams
with a day of dedicated meetings with financiers looking to source projects budgeted at €1m and under. It
also incorporates Market Place Live, which takes an interactive approach to bringing a project to market
with industry experts in finance, distribution, international sales and marketing, and will be presented
within the Festival programme at Picturehouse Central by Film London in partnership with Film Export UK
and supported by Creative Skillset.
-The second annual NET.WORK@LFF, the international talent development programme (managed by
Creative England on behalf of the BFI, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Film London, Northern Ireland Screen, Scottish
Film Talent and Creative Skillset), for 15 rising UK writers, directors and producers will take place during
the Festival. The filmmakers will participate in workshops and salons with international Festival guests
including writer/director Sean Baker (Tangerine) and producer Christine Vachon (Carol).
-For the first time the Festival will celebrate the launch of this year’s Screen International UK Stars of
Tomorrow, a highly-respected showcase of the UK and Ireland’s hottest emerging talent. Previous A-list
stars identified have included James McAvoy, Gemma Arterton, Benedict Cumberbatch and Emily Blunt.
LFF Film Industry & Artists’ Moving Image Events
-The BFI’s Diversity Discussion with invited guests and LFF industry delegates will look at the progress being
made by the BFI’s ground-breaking ‘three ticks’ initiative for BFI-backed productions and how it is being
extended further. Case studies on recent productions and new research will be discussed by the industry
and with Ed Vaizey MP, the Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy in attendance.
-The Festival is also partnering with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) in a panel
event to highlight its support of the global filmmaking industry and discuss the process of submitting a film
to the Oscar Foreign Language Film category. Mark Johnson, Oscar-winning producer and the chairman
of the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Committee will join filmmakers and Academy leaders in a
conversation about the award category and its impact.
-Further industry activities include The Greenlighters, a series of informal lunchtime talks at Picturehouse
Central in which key executives including Christine Langan, the head of BBC Films, and Rose Garnett, the
head of editorial at Film 4, discuss a film they love from the Festival programme with the filmmaker.
-New this year, as part of an expanded Experimenta programme, the Festival presents a series of Artists’
Moving Image professional development events in partnership with Lux and supported by Arts Council
England with events on writing and criticism; distribution as production; and the process and ethics of
restoring artists’ film.
-LFF International Industry Focus: China includes workshops between invited guests, industry delegates and visiting
Chinese executives will take place during the Festival as part of the BFI’s wider international strategy to
explore and build successful cultural, creative and business relationships with China. In addition a selection
of some of China’s biggest, recent box office successes will be featured in the Insight into China film
screening showcase.
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