I’m posting a blog by Jim Owen, a Filmmaker who was awarded in Sundance Film        Festival

In this blog , he reveals his intensive journey to enter the festival as well as giving advice on how you can apply to compete in the famous festival.

http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=1818

This is just an announcement …

to let you know…… that we’re back again this spring semester !!!

with more events, screenings and workshops!!

and it would be amazing if you  all  can suggest us new activities that  get  people involved!!!

I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you!

Aby.

filmmet 08

Riverside studios will be screening 5 unmissable documentaries throughout the day. As I am sure most of you are fans of documentaries (and I can tell by the amount of documentaries submitted in the last FilmMet Edition) this is a must-do sunday!!

More information as follows…DocHouse Presents Pick of the Fests

DocHouse has picked five must-see documentaries from the 2008/9 world film festivals – Sundance, IDFA, HotDocs and the Oscars – to be screened in this unmissable one day event. These award-winning documentaries have been selected for their insight and innovation and offer a concentrated overview of the independent global market. With so little opportunity to see quality international documentary in the UK, this is an essential programme, whether you are a documentary professional, filmmaker, student or simply an enthusiast who wants to gain insight into the world around you. In between screenings there will be plenty of time to meet friends, filmmakers and colleagues for informal discussion in the lively riverside bar/restaurant.

For full programme information please go to www.dochouse.org.

Ticket Prices:
£18 day ticket – book online
£7.50 per double bill – see the program here

I know; it took me time to put this up on the site – I was going crazy organizing the Film Festival, working on my spare time and studying (yes, I pretend I read those books…! )

Anyways, the section of FilmMet’09 is updated with the list of winners, the jury and the organizers if you wanted to check who were officially involved, and especially if you took part on the competition!!

I am very proud of the team that has been working hard to bring this festival alive. Now, I know many of you (and definetely us) are quite dissapointed about the result of the event (and now I must say especially me who was sweating trying to make everything work!) but, I hope at least you enjoyed with your drinks, the popcorn, your friends and a nice environment.

I strongly encourage you all now to take step further and, as I got stuck on the presentation to say this: keep working hard to mantain your filmmaking skills in practice, and never give up, especially in this Industry. Be self-critical and learn of every single experience. Also, this might be the last London Met Film Festival, so please, please, please, dont loose this (at least small) spirit we have created through these two years and carry on supporting your community from your University years. Don’t wait till you finish your degree, is absolutely pointless and counter-productive to expect that a degree will solve all your future: get involved as much as you can with your colleagues and with other London film communities. And please… film is an Art in movement; do not conformise!! keep evolving and mantain Film alive!

We haven’t heard much of your voices over these past years, I don’t know if I have to start burning a barrell in the middle of the Piazza so at least some of you get in movement. The society is yours, remember it. Feel free to contact me if you want to get more involved at korben2001@hotmail.com

We also have a fantastic Blog where I am at this moment writing, you can also put your opinions up here, and I encourage to do so. Just contact me.

Oh!! And please, have a look at the post Abi has added below, is worth getting involve in these things:

I know we’ve been dead , since the Filmmet awards, and by the way , I wanted to congratulate the winners, well done!!

I hope you all are ok .

It’s been a busy month and very exciting , Birds Eye view  Festival was amazing !! I had the opportunity to see Mike Figgis in person , went  to  silent film screenings  with live bands , met Gurinder Chadha, and watched very interesting films , full of live and wonderful stories;  such as “Grown ups ” directed by Anna Novion, if you ever get the chance to watch this film , do it !! I promise , you wont be dissapointed!!.

But now , it’s time to look ahead and continue to get involve in every film activity that captures our interest. This is why I’m calling  all professionals and budding filmmakers with an obsession for Sci-Fi movies –REMEMBER  this is your chance!

SCI-FI-LONDON, The London international festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Films, challenges you to test skills as a filmmaker and make you work under pressure like you have never known!

The 2^nd Annual SCI-FI-LONDON 48Hour Film Challenge takes place on April 4^th 2009 at the Apollo Piccadilly Circus, is FREE to ENTER and the rules are pretty simple.   Basically they’ll  give you a randomly generated film title, some dialogue and maybe a prop list. You’ll then have 48 hours (Saturday 4th April 2009 – Monday 6th April 2009)to write, shoot and edit a complete five minute film. You just need to find your perfect team and have fun!

Some of last year’s films went on to be broadcast around the world on the Sci-FI Channel and have appeared in several other film festivals and among the Jury members ; there’s Marc Caro( Delicatessen,The City Of Lost Children)and many more.

So if you are interested, or you have some questions – don’t hesitate! just drop a line to anna.g@sci-fi-london.com or  abigail@sci-fi-london.com and check the link to find out more about the competition http://www.sci-fi-london.com/festival/2009/48hour/

PS: and don’t forget apart from great fun, you also can win  neat prizes (including a X-box from EA games, subscriptions, cash, kit, software etc ).

Spread the word , you have until 30 MARCH to submit your team!!!.

thank you.

good luck!!!

Film London , a media agency that aims to help aspiring film makers is holding different events throughthout the year , starting on Monday february 16th with “everything you wanted to know about ..physical production ” and if you want to be more daring the deadlines for the British Breakthrough strand celebrated in summer as well as submit your short for The 11th Rushes Soho Shorts Festival: which it’s renowned for its not-for-profit status and its championing of emerging talent. The festival has grown dramatically over the past 11 years and is widely recognized as a leading showcase of the short film genre. These are just some of the things , you can check out and be part , http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/news_details.asp?newsid=1569.

and remember , the deadline to submit your film for Filmmet is friday 6th february 2009.

good luck guys and dont ever give up !!!

Tell us what is your favorite film!!

As the end of the year 2008 is closing in, let us make a recap of what contemporary cinema had to offer this year!!!

List your favorite film and tell us why you like it or not…

You have until Dec 31st, 23:59:59 to practice your  talents of critic.

Good luck and good night!!!

When image and sound are in symbiosis

27 days left and we’ll be saying bye to another year , it’s been a wonderful and sad  year ,  with lots of exciting   films and events ,not forgetting the loss of few people in Hollywood  ,Like every December we try to go back and analyse everything we did  every month of the “wonderful” year , Sight and Sound magazine in her newest issue has asked 50 film critics to talk about and highlight  the most important events of the last 12 Months…

The issue was released on 2 December. In Reference to new plans , I’d like to take the opportunity to announce the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival , which  runs from 25 March – 8 April 2009. If you happen to be interested , you can  submit a film for the Festival, you can do it now  by completing our online submissions form. The deadline for all submissions is 22 December 2008.

www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/nod

and DON’T  FORGET THAT SUBMISSIONS FOR FILMMET ‘ 09 ARE NOW OPEN !!!

august evening(USA,2007) one of the films screened at the festival

It has been only a week or so, since the London Film Festival finished but it already seems like ages ago. And now we have to wait another long 12 months.

But that doesnt mean the the fun is over, there loads of small film festivals and activities, in London that cinephiles can enjoy. It was an amazing festival , with the collaboration of many stars, even thought , I didnt have the opportunity to attend many events.

Well i’d just like to take the opportunity to announce the Latin American Film Festival,which is currently being held in different venues all around London , with a new range of films from the hispanic continent and USA with latin american talents .

http://www.latinamericanfilmfestival.com/index.html

In a similar way , the BFI is hosting the 10th BFM International Film Festival , with an exciting programme of screenings and events. You can watch Terence Davies‘ new film, Of Time and the City, and the genius work from the Coen brothers alongside their classical Hollywood influences. Also this week, you can enjoy more sparkling gems from Sidney Gilliat, hothouse drama in the Tennessee Williams season and another Early Chaplin programme.