BFI London Film Festival

Monday, October 15---------The London Film Festival, which opens later this week, is certainly about films, personalities and the love of cinema. However, this year, the Festival has also incorporated a number of exciting industry events to bring more attention to the UK filmmaking community and to give fledgling producers and directors the chance to network with their contemporaries from across the globe.

London’s first ever Production Finance Market, launched by Film London in association with Festival, will take place October 22nd and 23rd, focusing on new private forms of investment, film finance and new distribution avenues. In all, 120 international and UK financiers and established producers will participate in more than 400 face-to-face matched meetings, including 11 emerging producers who have been selected to pitch their projects and attend training seminars at the market. The Production Finance Market is also supported by the UK Film Council, UK Trade and Investment, Skillset, the London Development Agency and peacefulfish.

In collaboration with ACE (Ateliers du Cinéma Européen) and the French Institute, with support from Skillset, the UK Film Council and the MEDIA Plus Programme of the European Community, a timely seminar entitled CREATIVE PRODUCER – A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS? will take place on October 24 at the French Institute. Another cutting edge session takes place on October 26th, with a one day forum exploring the digital revolution in production and distribution. POWER TO THE PIXEL is a one-day forum that will delve into the  pioneering new ways of distributing, marketing and financing independent films.  Leading industry experts will present overviews of cutting-edge digital distribution business models and services, as well as discussing how to build new audiences, maximise revenues and reach core, global audiences.

The UK Film Council will co-host a series of events with the Festival. Together with the German Federal Film Board, a co-production event on October 25 will explore German rebates working with UK tax relief, as well as other sources of production finance. The second event, IN FOCUS – WORKING WITH DISABILITY IN THE FILM INDUSTRY will allow panellists to discuss whether disability could be a barrier to working in the film industry, while the UK Film Council will be launching a DVD of the same name. Last but not least, building on the success of last year’s industry screenings and the inaugural MEET THE BUYER sessions both will return, thanks to the continued funding from the London Development Agency and the Mayor of London through Film London. Industry screenings will be at the Curzon Soho from October 22 to 25, and MEET THE BUYERS sessions on October 23rd.

Also working with a wide range of established partners such as The Script Factory, the Directors Guild of Great Britain, the New Producers Alliance, Film London, B3 Media and the National Film and Television School , the Festival will also host a series of panel discussions and filmmaking events. The LFF, it's not just about film screenings and red carpets. To find out more information on the industry events at this year's Festival, log on to: www.lff.org.uk/industry

Sandy Mandelberger, London FF Dailies Editor