16/09/2008

The 52nd Times BFI London Film Festival (LFF) has strengthened its slate of industry events with support and funding from Film London, the London Development Agency, the Mayor of London and Production Base.

‘UK and India: The Shape of Things to Come’ will look at the implications of the recent UK-India co-production treaty. Panel event ‘The Risk Business’, in association with ARTE and UK broadcasters, will explore the relationship between European public broadcasters and film production funding. ‘Cross Country: Does Regional Production now carry the Baton for British Film?’ examines the rise of production across the English regions.

Film London’s Production Finance Market will happen on October 20-21 following last year’s successful edition, which attracted more than $800m of production value. This year’s emphasis is on attracting more European representation.

Other highlights include the annual ‘Think-Shoot-Distribute’ programme, the youth oriented ‘Working Your Future’, ‘Power to the Pixel; The Digital Distribution and Film Innovation Forum’, ‘Stop the Sky Falling (Business Models for UK Producers)’, a European production seminar in association with ACE (Ateliers du Cinema European) and a co-production event with the New Producers Alliance. There will also be an expanded ‘Meet the Buyer’ session.

LFF Artistic Director Sandra Hebron said, “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.”