London: Culture Capital

by Lauren Hamblion

London has long been hailed as a film cultural capital and pioneer in both international and independent film making, as well as providing a breath taking setting for blockbusters and art house films alike.

It has provided a platform and wealth of inspiration for budding film makers and delighted cinema goers with a plethora of foreign, underground and groundbreaking films.

This summer and beyond our capital will be brimming with new and stimulating talent as well as honouring those unforgettable classics as it celebrates film with weird and wonderful events as diverse as the city itself.

Secret Cinema: Somewhere in London. 15 - 20 June

Imagine going to see a film, but you don’t know what that film will be, or where you will be watching it. That is exactly the concept of Secret Cinema, one of the most mysterious yet utterly brilliant film events to take place in recent years.

Its creators, Future Cinema, aim to “breathe new life into the stale multiplex experience” through monthly events held at unusual locations around the UK that you can only find out about by registering with them via their website.

Just a few days before the event takes place you will receive information on the location, but you will still have no idea on what you will be turning up to see except a series of mystifying clues sent via email, talking to you as if you are a character from the film and instructing you to dress up in themed clothing.

Your secret cinema experience begins when you arrive at the nearest tube station, along the way you may be met by actors, musicians or dancers reflecting the films theme, but you are still none the wiser until the curtain goes up and the spectacular shows begins!

Previous events have seen the Secret Cinema team, which is made up of hundreds of actors, musicians, dancers, set designers, costume designers, make- up artists and many more, screen The Warriors to 2,500 people at London Fields as well as a Halloween screening of Alien in which they dressed a thousand people in boiler suits and put them through quarantine before the audience was wowed by a personal introduction to the screening by the films director Ridley Scott.

This fantastic film event aims to revive the spirit of cinema by turning movie going into a magical theatrical experience and shunning the dull, silent and impersonal atmosphere that has become so associated with cinema going today making this unmissable event a secret that must me shared!

Register at www.secretcinema.org for more details or to take part.

 

Film4’s Frightfest: Empire cinema, Leicester Square, London, 26 - 30 August

If you like nothing more than the adrenaline pumping, blood soaked, gore filled thrill of a good horror film then Film4’s Frightfest Film festival is the one for you.

Now in its 11th year, Britain’s premiere horror film festival will be bringing you 4 days of films guaranteed to make you jump out of your seat in the heart of London’s West End at the world famous Empire cinema.

Frightfest has been responsible for helping to launch the careers of directors such as Christopher Smith, who bought us Creep and Severance as well as premiering Eli Roth’s gruesome and unforgettable Hostel.

Over the years 85 per cent of films shown at the festival were world, UK or European premieres and this year promises to be no different.

Frightfest organisers promise “five packed days of premieres, previews, personal appearances, signings and surprises” and the film for this years festival will be announced on the 2 July.

 

The Portobello Film Festival: West London, 2 - 19 September

The Portobello film festival was first created in 1996 in response to the stagnant state of the British film industry, since then it has flourished to become the UKs largest independent film competition, championing emerging talent and low budget films.

It takes place in one of the most vibrant and bustling areas of London, screening over 700 cutting edge films. But the Portobello film festival is about much more than just film, displaying a remarkable selection of urban art, skateboarding events and the hottest DJs in all of their venues.

The festival also encourages new talent by providing workshops with professional film makers in which you can cut your own film and take part in live demonstrations.

The Portobello film festival is a chance to see the modern masters of film who its organisers rightly say “have gone out and made their films, often on budgets of next to nothing, for the sheer thrill of it.”

 

Summer Screen: Somerset House 29 July - 8 August

What could be better than watching a film on a hot summer’s night in the stunning courtyard of Somerset House on their giant, open-air, state of the art screen with 35mm projection and surround sound?

Film4’s Summer Screen returns to its grand setting for another year bringing us an inspired range of films from the unforgettable classics to exclusive previews, guarantying an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Before the screening takes place DJs will be spinning the best Summer tunes to a lively festival atmosphere before the film begins and you can relax under the stars. The Summer Screen also boasts a wealth of famous faces to introduce each film, as well as Q&A’s and panel discussion.

 

Upcoming events: Film and Fashion festival: December

It looks like it is going to be an exciting Winter of film in London as well, as mayor Boris Johnson has just endorsed the 3rd Film and Fashion Festival which is also supported by UAL.

He said. “London is well established as a centre for cutting edge fashion and film-making and I hope a new generation of designers and film-makers will be inspired by this unique event".

The festival premiered in 2006 to represent the common ground shared by film and fashion showing how the moving image can influence trend.

The festival looks at both contemporary and classic films dating from 1908 from a variety of genres whilst promoting new ideas and experimentation.

This emerging festival beautifully demonstrates the engagement between fashion and film and how they can both influence one another, but also how fashion in film can change the contemporary scene as a whole.

The iconic fashion pieces on display will dazzle any fashion conscious movie-buff and shows that film is challenging the catwalk as the worlds fashion stage.