London Fest to expand services to the industry

The Festival’s provision of services to the Industry has increased in 2008 and ranges from ground-breaking international events to UK focused debates and leading talent development projects. This expanded and diverse slate is possible thanks to continued funding from Film London, the London Development Agency, the Mayor of London, and new industry sponsor, Production Base.

Innovations for 2008 include a major event UK and India:The Shape of Things to Come, in association with the UK Film Council, which will explore the implications of the recent UK-India co-production treaty. In addition, panel event The Risk Business, in association with ARTE and leading UK broadcasters, will examine the relationship between European public broadcasters and film production funding, asking if broadcasters are obligated to provide funding. Focusing on issues closer to home, Cross Country: Does Regional Production now carry the Baton for British Film? investigates the rise of production across the English regions and home nations, exploring the reasons for this increased interest and its impact on British film culture.

The Festival is delighted to welcome back Film London’s Production Finance Market, the only event of its kind in the UK, which will run across two days on 20-21 October. Following an enormously successful inaugural year in 2007, which attracted more than $800m of production value, the event will once again bring together producers and major financiers from the international marketplace to encourage and foster new financing relationships. With an emphasis on attracting more European representation and a larger number of slates, PFM Project Manger Angus Finney comments:
“Film London is delighted to be working with The Times BFI 52nd London
Film Festival on a business-focused film finance market. The international flavour of the Festival is now matched by a strategic, two-day industry event that is successfully drawing film producers and financiers from all over the world to the capital.”

The Festival will continue its commitment to training and talent development with the fifth annual Think-Shoot-Distribute programme, supported by the Skillset Film Skills Fund and Film London. Bringing together 25 emerging producers, screenwriters and directors with leading international film professionals for a five-day programme at the Festival in October, this elite professional development scheme goes from strength to strength and this year welcomes greater involvement from Cass Film Business School, which will lead a number of workshop sessions.

Further enhancing its role in nurturing the film talent of tomorrow, the Festival will present the one-day event Working Your Future in association with a number of key film schools. Aimed specifically at undergraduates, the event will give participants an insight into the industry via panel presentations, speed matching, screenings, and a keynote address by DNA’s Duncan Kenworthy OBE.

Also returning and running for three days this year, Power to the Pixel;The Digital Distribution and Film Innovation Forum, returns from 22-24 October. Bringing together the most pioneering visionaries, filmmakers and entrepreneurs who are changing the way independent films are financed, created and distributed, the unique event will enable participants to discover how to build sustainable businesses and careers in this new digital era.

Other resurgent events with an international flavour include Stop the Sky Falling (Business Models for UK Producers) - a European production seminar in association with ACE (Ateliers du Cinema European) – in addition to a co-production event with the New Producers Alliance. As ever, the Festival will be working with a wide range of other partners on its industry programme including the Directors Guild of Great Britain, the National Film and Television School, the British Council, Guiding Lights, and the Script Factory.

Following the successful buyer events in 2007, there will once again be four days of Industry Screenings at the Curzon Soho, from 20–23 October, in addition to an expanded Meet the Buyer session. Last year’s Festival acquisitions included: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ (Endless), UNRELATED and LA ZONA. Edward Fletcher of UK distributor Soda Pictures who will release LA ZONA on 17 October, comments: “Despite the busy Autumn festival schedule, I value the industry provision at the London Film Festival and look forward to another interesting series of events in 2008 and a chance to see how certain films work with domestic audiences and the UK press.”

Festival Artistic Director, Sandra Hebron adds: “Over the last few years the Festival has developed a strong industry presence. Thanks to the commitment of our supporters, our industry services, and the numbers of people who use them have continued to grow and this year we are pleased to be able to present our most extensive range of industry activities to date.”

…ends…

For further information regarding Industry Events visit:
www.lff.org.uk/industry
Nigel Cross (Industry Development Manager): 020 7928 3535 x1390 / nigel.cross@bfi.org.uk

Notes to editors:
For further information on the Film London Production Finance Market visit: www.filmlondon.org.uk/pfm
The Film London Production Finance Market 2008 is supported by the London Development Agency, UK Film Council, UK Trade and Investment, Skillset, City of London Corporation and peacefulfish. Entry to the PFM is by invitation only and selection has now closed. Film London will announce full details of delegates and the Key Note speaker later this month.