The London International Film Festival is the largest public film festival in the UK.

It is put on by the British Film Institute and The Times is currently the sponsor for the event.

It runs for about 2 weeks in October every year, offering public screenings of nearly 200 feature length films and 100 short films.

The festival also has a number of educational lectures and special events.

The films are shown in cinemas all over London, and you can book your tickets online, by phone, or in person at the British Film Institute Southbank Box Office.

Members of the British Film Institute get a full week’s head start on purchasing tickets to the Film Festival as well as discounts and other bonuses, so if you are a big fan of films you might want to consider purchasing a membership.

The films at the London Film Festival are varied and quite interesting.

They have the best in New British cinema, and a series of New French movies as well.

There is an Experimental Series featuring avant-garde artists’ films and video that you are unlikely to see anywhere else.

The Galas and Special Screenings are much anticipated films from all over; 2009's offering included The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Men Who Stare at Goats, and The Road.

The Cinema Europa Series features lesser known European movies, and the World Cinema Series highlights excellent films from all over the world.

The value of this sort of film festival is that it gives the public an opportunity to see films that would never be given wide commercial distribution.

The Film Festival also offers educational screenings of a variety of their films for teachers and school groups, and talks and workshops where you can meet some of the filmmakers and learn about the process of making and marketing a film.

The London International Film Festival is a gem and if you are in the city then, be sure to see a few of the movies.

Visiting The Times BFI 54th London Film Festival

BFI Southbank, South Bank, South Bank, SE1 8XT

13th October 2010 until 28th October 2010

Telephone: 020 7928 3232

Opening Times

Various

Ticket Prices

TBC | 2009 Prices - Films £7, £8.50, £11 (Adults), £6 (Concs), £5 (Children) | Galas & Special Screenings £15-£20 | Opening & Closing Night Galas and Film on the Square Gala £25 | Screen Talks & Masterclasses £15

Photo courtesy: ell brown

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