The London Film Festival (LFF) stands as one of the most prestigious film festivals in the UK, second only to The Edinburgh Fringe. Now in its 68th year, it continues to offer a dynamic selection of films that draw in audiences ranging from casual moviegoers to avid cinephiles. Hyun Jin Cho, a film programmer at the festival, shares insights into the festival’s evolution, the collaborative nature of film programming, and the diverse range of films featured at this year’s event.
An Audience-Focused Festival
The LFF has always distinguished itself as an audience-focused event, prioritizing viewer engagement over industry connections. “We don’t have a market,” Jin explains. “We want to bring the most exciting films to the audience.” The festival’s inclusive ethos reflects London’s diversity, offering a program that caters to a wide variety of tastes and cultural backgrounds.
Although the festival traditionally takes place in London, it has expanded its reach to other UK cities, allowing more people to experience the curated selection of films. This year’s festival spans 10-15 cities, providing a broader audience with the opportunity to engage with the rich, varied programming that the LFF is known for.
Collaborative Film Programming
One of the key aspects of the London Film Festival is its collaborative approach to programming. Unlike other festivals where individual programmers lead specific segments, the LFF’s curators work together to create a cohesive selection of films. Jin, who has been with the festival for five years, highlights the collaborative nature of her role: “We all work very collaboratively, but certain areas have programmers who are more invested in particular strands.”
Jin focuses on the Experimenta strand, which showcases artist moving images. These films often blend the boundaries between cinema and art gallery exhibitions, with many being made on smaller budgets and deeply personal to the creators. The Experimenta strand provides a platform for both emerging and established artists, offering a space where innovative and unconventional storytelling can flourish.
Curating the London Film Festival
The process of selecting films for the LFF involves extensive research, with Jin and her colleagues attending international festivals and keeping track of works in progress. “With Experimenta, it’s a bit different because many of these films don’t have sales companies or distributors,” Jin explains. “So, we have to do a lot of research and follow the artists’ work closely.”
Jin also spends much of her time scheduling short documentaries. According to Jin, programming shorts requires a unique approach, as they must fit together thematically and stylistically to create a cohesive screening experience. “You need to create a rhythm for the shorts to work together, much like a DJ,” Jin says, “a combination of different voices and styles that make sense together.”
Highlights of the 2023 Festival
This year’s festival features an array of films that tackle pressing contemporary issues, often through unique and experimental lenses. Jin is particularly excited about Collective Monologue (2024), a documentary that explores human-animal relationships in zoos and sanctuaries, and Familiar Touch (2024), a coming of (old) age drama that focuses on the beauty, joy and humour of memory loss as we grow older.
“There’s been a rise in films centering on non-human animals,” Jin observes. “It reflects our broader cultural shift towards ecological awareness and the way we think about our relationship with nature.”
Creating Community Through Cinema
One of the most rewarding aspects of Jin’s role is the opportunity to foster connections between filmmakers and audiences. The festival offers numerous Q&A sessions where filmmakers engage with viewers, providing insight into their creative process. “It creates a special kind of community and conversation,” Jin reflects. “As a programmer, it’s incredibly rewarding to see an audience connect with a film on such a personal level.”
At its core, the London Film Festival remains a celebration of creativity and diversity in filmmaking. Whether through experimental shorts or thought-provoking documentaries, the festival continues to push boundaries and offer audiences a chance to experience the world through new and diverse perspectives.
The London Film Festival runs from the 9th to the 20th of October, check out everything that’s happening here.