Transport for LondonCelebrate film in the capital
THE 51st Times London Film Festival gets underway today with an outstanding programme of new films from around the world.
What sets the festival apart from other European festivals is the focus on bringing film to the public, as well as people in the industry.
The Mayor of London, in conjunction with Film London (the capital's film and media agency), the London Development Agency and London Unlimited is supporting several activities - including London Thrills Me and Film in the City - aimed at celebrating and promoting film in the capital.
Archive film will be shown for free at the London Thrills Me event, which takes place tomorrow and Friday in Trafalgar Square.
The 6.30pm screenings, with live musical accompaniment, include Hitchcock's silent 'Blackmail' and the 1928 classic 'Bluebottles'on the first evening, and 'CapitalTales', a compilation of more than 25 films and extracts from the BFI National Archive on the second.
London cinemagoers are again being offered the chance to see a selection of films from the London Film festival outside the West End with the Film in the City event, including showings at The Genesis, Mile End; Phoenix, East Finchley; David Lean, Croydon; Watermans, Brentford; the Rio, Dalston; Odeon, Greenwich and, new this year, Rich Mix, Shoreditch.
Mayor Ken Livingstone said: 'This year, I am particularly delighted to see an expansion in the number of venues participating in the festival, meaning more Londoners can access the amazing range of films on offer - from classic archive titles to the latest digital shorts, major blockbusters to the cream of independent cinema, from every corner of the globe.'
The Times BFI Film Festival runs until Thursday, November 1.
For more information, visit http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/
