The BFI London Film Festival has announced the speakers and events taking part in the industry forum at its upcoming 69th edition.
Heading the lineup is a spotlight conversation with Tessa Ross, the pioneering U.K. producer who ran Film4 for over a decade and recently, as co-head of House Productions, was behind box office hit and awards favorite “Conclave.”
Elsewhere in the program, Variety is supporting a panel discussion examining the “intricate art of co-productions” set to involve producers Maria Ekerhovd (“Sentimental Value“), Emily Morgan (“Dreamers”), Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska (“Orphan”) and Lorna Tee (“Diamonds in the Sand”). Meanwhile, distribution strategies for documentary films will be considered at a panel with execs from Autlook Filmsales, Modern Films, Indox and Perpetua Cine, while there’ll be a spotlight on the “art and craft of visual effects” with creatives and executives from Framestore, Milk, beloFX and One of Us.
Other events will include a deep dive into Sky’s upcoming limited series “The Death of Bunny Munro,” based on Nick Cave’s novel, an “Anatomy of a Debut” session with “Ish” writer-director Imran Perretta producer Dhiraj Mahey, and co-writer Enda Walsh, the inaugural LFF Expanded Industry Day platforming Immersive, XR, and video games and a talk with emerging local screenwriters.
Keeping things even closer to home, a team of film event directors and senior programmers — including Thomas Rosso of the Cannes Critics’ Week, Jacqueline Lyanga from the Berlinale, Pia Lundberg of Göteborg Film Festival and the London Film Festival’s own Kristy Matheson — will contemplate the “evolving role of festivals in supporting films and talent.”
“Film festivals are all about connection and I’m thrilled to see this exciting line-up of U.K. and international guests joining us to share their time, knowledge and experience,” said Matheson. “As ever, our popular networking events and curated meetings will continue to foster new creative and business collaborations, and I look forward to seeing the results of these in the years to come.”
The BFI London Film Festival runs Oct 8-Oct 19, and will open with “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.”
