INDUSTRY GUIDESupported by Main Sponsor WITH THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS, FUNDERS AND PARTNERS PRINCIPAL PARTNER MAIN FUNDING CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE INDUSTRY PROGRAMME OFFICIAL HOTEL OFFICIAL INDUSTRY EVENTS OFFICIAL BFI NETWORK@LFF SOCIAL HUB PARTNER VENUE PARTNER VENUE PARTNER EVENTS PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS ELSTREE STUDIOS WELCOME Welcome to our refreshed BFI London Film Festival Industry Programme which tackles pressing questions facing the industry at a time of immense change, change in both how THE BIG PICTURE 4 work is being produced and how we’re reaching audiences. We also feature an increased international focus which positions the UK within a wider global conversation - an approach SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATIONS 10 that parallels our public programme, featuring 37 UK feature films in the context of films from 77 countries. INDUSTRY PANELS 16 New strands help audiences navigate our events. Big Picture sessions explore how SCREEN TALKS & LFF CONNECTS 22 key areas of the industry are adapting to disruption and evolution, from sales and distribution models to SVOD; from immersive and high-end television production to festival PARTNER EVENTS 24 programming. Spotlight events showcase the work of major game-changing individuals and duos, offering the chance to hear them reflect on impressive careers and get their NEW BRITISH TALENT 28 perspectives on an industry in flux. While ourNew Talent programmes support the development of the UK’s next generation of filmmakers and other creatives from the wider NETWORKING 32 screen sectors. SOCIAL HUBS 38 Panel discussions and debates delve into the timely and urgently topical – such as how the industry is responding to the climate emergency and the continued need for more inclusive DELEGATE SERVICES 40 practice – and these sit alongside a series of satellite programmes for filmmakers and creatives, delivered by and with partners. FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 44 Business and collaboration bloom in informal settings and we invite industry delegates to meet one another at daily networking receptions at Vue in Leicester Square, and also join us at our BFI Southbank Hub, open to industry and public and featuring free talks, events and club nights. Daily press and industry screenings run through the final day of the LFF for the first time, and Cinando online viewing portal gives you time to screen LFF films at home. One thing that doesn’t come with your delegate accreditation, though, is much time for sleep. See you there. TRICIA TUTTLE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL INDUSTRY EVENTS PROGRAMMER ROWAN WOODS THE BIG PICTURE A series of agenda-setting conversations exploring how key areas of the industry TAKING THE are responding to change. Senior figures in the UK and international industry will discuss the challenges and opportunities TEMPERATURE across the international sales landscape, distribution, the festival circuit and the emerging high-end TV space and explore OF AN INDUSTRY how these sectors move forward over the IN FLUX coming years. MON 7 OCT 15:30 – 17:00 KEY QUESTIONS VUE6 The festival circuit currently finds itself in a moment of flux, FACING THE with a widespread changing of the guard at the top level. It's also facing challenges to its traditional role in the distribution ecosystem as deep-pocketed new buyers disrupt the acquisitions markets at festivals. With the emergence of new FESTIVAL CIRCUIT platforms including Apple+, HBO Max, Quibi and Disney+ over the coming year, premium content will increasingly be able to find its way directly to audiences on a variety of platforms, without having to rely on a traditional festival-theatrical- distribution model. There are urgent questions about the role that festivals play as gatekeepers and ensuring a more diverse range of voices are heard. PANELLISTS INCLUDE INGE DE LEEUW (PROGRAMMER, INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM) GIONA NAZZARO (GENERAL DELEGATE, VENICE CRITICS’ WEEK) MARIETTE RISSENBEEK (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BERLINALE) MODERATED BY KATE TAYLOR (SENIOR PROGRAMMER, BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL) 5 TUE 8 OCT 13:00 – 14:30 WHAT NEXT? VUE6 It’s well established that the newer streaming companies have THE DISTRIBUTION had a significant impact on the production sector, the festival circuit, the awards conversation and audience viewing habits, but few places have the shifts and changes in the industry been DEBATE more keenly felt than in theatrical distribution and exhibition. Our panel of international distributors discuss the changing landscape and provide perspectives on the future of independent distribution across a variety of models, scales and territories. PANELLISTS INCLUDE LOUISA DENT (MANAGING DIRECTOR, CURZON ARTIFICIAL EYE) PIM HERMELING (CEO, SEPTEMBER FILMS) HAMISH MOSELEY (MANAGING DIRECTOR, ALTITUDE FILM ENTERTAINMENT) MODERATED BY ALEX RITMAN (UK CORRESPONDENT, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) IN ASSOCIATION WITH 6 TUE 8 OCT 15:30 – 17:00 THE REVOLUTION VUE6 The Crown, Chernobyl, Succession, Big Little Lies, Game of Thrones; investment is being pumped into the booming high- WILL BE TELEVISED end TV sector with some of the most exciting creative work now being made for the small screen. Directors such as Barry Jenkins, Lukas Moodysson (LFF 2019), Andrea Arnold and HIGH-END TV Andrew Haigh are just some of the names now working in TV and the hierarchy that once existed between film and television has been well and truly shattered. We sit down with those on the frontline to discuss the boom and ask how producers are adapting to meet the demands of the platforms, how the streamers and public broadcasters are working together, what the fluidity between the different mediums means for talent, what international co-production opportunities look like and what, ultimately, this all might mean for the independent film industry. PANELLISTS INCLUDE LARS BLOMGREN (HEAD OF SCRIPTED EMEA, ENDEMOL SHINE) JANE FEATHERSTONE (FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SISTER PICTURES) ANDY HARRIES OBE (CEO, LEFT BANK PICTURES) HAKAN KOUSETTA (COO, SEE SAW FILMS) MODERATED BY STEWART CLARKE (INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, VARIETY) IN ASSOCIATION WITH 7 London. The best place WED 9 OCT to tell a story. 13:00 – 14:30 THE CHANGING VUE6 The end. With the pre-sale model becoming less reliable, distributors LANDSCAPE OF acquiring less in favour of originating their own content and If you’re working in film, TV, animation the big US talent agencies increasingly becoming involved or games, Film London can offer you in financing and selling, the role of the traditional sales agent is changing. expert advice on locations, logistics INTERNATIONAL and the UK’s generous tax reliefs. Our panel of international sales agents outline what these changes mean for producers and provide an analysis of the current sales landscape - which films are working in which From big-budget blockbusters to SALES territories, evolving distribution models, what the international ground-breaking indies, we can help market is looking for from UK content, and what UK producers need to know about selling their films abroad. you to create something special. Get in touch to find out more. PANELLISTS INCLUDE CAROLE BARATON (CO-FOUNDER, CHARADES) SÉBASTIEN BEFFA (PARTNER, PLAYTIME) @Film_London DAVE BISHOP (CEO, PROTAGONIST PICTURES) filmlondon.org.uk THANIA DIMITRAKOPOULOU (HEAD OF SALES, MATCH FACTORY) RYAN KAMPE (PRESIDENT, VISIT FILMS) MODERATED BY MELANIE GOODFELLOW (SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, EUROPE AND MIDDLE EAST, SCREEN INTERNATIONAL) IN ASSOCIATION WITH 8 London. The best place to tell a story. The end. If you’re working in film, TV, animation or games, Film London can offer you expert advice on locations, logistics and the UK’s generous tax reliefs. From big-budget blockbusters to ground-breaking indies, we can help you to create something special. Get in touch to find out more. @Film_London filmlondon.org.uk SPOTLIGHT CONVER- SATIONS Conversations with key figures on the international stage reflecting on their career, their work and an industry in flux. The Personal History of David Copperfield, Dir. Armando Iannucci (FilmNation Entertainment) THU 3 OCT 15:30 – 16:30 GLEN BASNER VUE6 CEO, FILMNATION FilmNation Entertainment is one of the leading distributors, financiers and producers of independent film and television in the US. Set up in 2008 by Glen Basner, FilmNation has ENTERTAINMENT established itself as a home for specialty filmmaking with global appeal that balances creative integrity and commercial potential, racking up more than 40 Academy Award® nominations and eight wins. Its slate features LFF Opening Night Gala The Personal History of David Copperfield, The Mayor of London's Gala The Aeronauts, Sundance favourites The Big Sick and Late Night and awards heavy-hitters Arrival, Room and The King’s Speech. In 2019, the company announced its joint UK TV venture with Nordic Entertainment Group, and in the past two years the company has diversified its storytelling through theatre and podcasting. Glen Basner talks about his career, the importance of great storytelling and FilmNation’s expansion into different mediums. IN CONVERSATION WITH BEN ROBERTS (DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BFI) 11 FRI 4 OCT 13:00 – 14:00 NANCY UTLEY & VUE6 One of the film industry’s most enduring and well-respected STEPHEN GILULA partnerships, Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula have been working together for almost 20 years. As co-heads of Fox CO-CHAIRMEN, Searchlight Pictures, they have made their mark on the independent theatrical landscape, the festival circuit and numerous award campaigns of the