2017 is the first year I have made my way to the London Film Festival. It is a haven for film lovers, and an experience I would whole-heartedly recommend. There is much more to it than simply getting to see some films a bit early, and it isn’t all as expensive as you might think. There are many reasons why it is worth attending, even if you do have to travel into London to go.

Seeing The World’s Newest Films First

Odeon Leicester Square

It is the LFF slogan, and clearly one of the biggest reasons for attendance. Almost all of the films screened at the festival haven’t been released yet, which can give you the immense satisfaction (and gloating rights) of being one of the first people in the country to see them. It makes it feel like more of an event, and you will likely be seated in a pretty packed theatre, which only adds more atmosphere (and seems to be void of as many disruptive popcorn rustlers; the festival crowd seems more considerate than the average audience).

You can even attend premieres for films, be it the star-studded Leicester Square events of the Gala Premieres (often UK premieres), or even premieres for smaller films, still attended by some of the filmmakers, but perhaps with a smaller red carpet, and lighter price tag. I snagged a ticket to what I believe to be the first public screening of Stronger, which was attended by star and producer Jake Gyllenhaal, who participated in a Q and A. I also attended the International Premiere of the new indie Thoroughbreds, preceeded by a red-carpet appearance by stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Olivia Cooke and writer-director Corey Finley, who also all participated in a post-screening Q and A. These were also relatively cheap (but more on that later).

You might even see films that won’t ultimately make it to many big screens (on account of budget and commerciality, not quality), providing a pretty unique experience. Seeing smaller films first can also lead to you being a part of the wave that helps spread the word, something reinforced by Festival Director Claire Stewart, post-Thoroughbreds.

Seeing the Stars

Thoroughbreds Q and A

The festival attracts some of the top filmmaking talent from across the world, who attend to promote and discuss their new projects, and celebrate their release. If star-spotting is your thing, there are many chances for you to see your favourite actors and filmmakers, be it on the stage post-screening, or getting up close and personal with them from the barriers on the red-carpet (the excitement at which is contagious). Even if you don’t want to queue up for an autograph right from the red carpet, you can hang around from a little further back to check out what is going on (the ease of which will depend on the size of the film and premiere). In the time I had between two screenings, I hung around Leicester Square, and saw the red carpet for the Call Me By Your Name Gala Premiere, spotting the film’s stars and director.

The festival also puts on ticketed events for talks (series entitled LFF Connects and LFF Screen Talks) by top filmmakers and actors, often there to promote their new project, but these insightful talks provide a long-form platform for them to discuss their careers and craft. If filmmakers and actors are your rock stars, you rarely have a chance to see them in real life (unlike other entertainment players where concerts and the like are a staple of their industry). LFF, like other festivals, often features rare and exciting chances for an audience with one of your idols, where (if you’re lucky, and quick enough to stick your hand up in the air) you might even get a chance to ask them a question. I was lucky enough to get a ticket to Jake Gyllenhaal’s Screen Talk and it proved to be a fascinating and more casual-feeling talk, that provided much more insight and connection that the short interview videos we’re used to seeing now allow.

The Venues

LFF Pop-Up Cinema

The film festival’s events and screenings take place across London, but mostly centred around the Leicester Square and Southbank areas, and a lot of different cinema chains participate. This might mean you get to experience different cinemas than those you would usually go to, and the tickets are often a lot cheaper (especially if you are a concession) than they would usually be for such places.

As a film buff who has almost exclusively only been to the big multiplexes, it is something of a treat to experience more high-end cinemas. I saw Battle Of The Sexes in the Odeon Leicester Square Premiere Screen, a room which holds so much history and plays host to so many huge events (and is so huge in size), it adds extra atmosphere. It was also my first time in a Picturehouse (or any independent cinema for that matter), where I was greeted by masses of legroom and plush seats; it certainly felt like a more luxurious experience.

The LFF also has a pop-up cinema in the Victoria Embankment Gardens, which is a one-screened structure, with the LFF’s logo emblazoned on it, which also helps add to the air of excitement.

The Atmosphere

Call Me By Your Name Red Carpet

Despite the festival being so spread out at numerous venues across the city, there is certainly an atmosphere that builds in each of the cinemas. People are there because they love film, very rarely (due to the need to book and fast-selling tickets) simply because they thought ‘let’s go see something at the cinema tonight’. There is a palpable sense of excitement, especially at premieres or events attended by the stars. The screenings are often introduced too, giving a sense of occasion. There’s also applause after the screening, more openly showing a shared appreciation and enjoyment.

This also means that you shouldn’t let a lack of film-loving friends prevent you from attending. There are many people there by themselves, and the festival seems to lend a friendlier, more communal atmosphere than you would usually find. Chances are you will strike up a conversation with those around you, either in your seats, or as you are waiting to go in. Also, and this is perhaps just what it is like going to the cinema in London, but you can meet people from all over the world, some even visiting London purely for the festival. You might also encounter some unusual occurrences – the guy next to me at one screen brought a stalk of wheat in and casually placed it in his cup holder (I don’t know if it was an odd choice of snack, or if he was just carrying one around for some reason?) – you never know what you might see.

As you wander around near venues, soak up the atmosphere, something especially tangible in Leicester Square. The fact you may be walking by and stumble upon a red carpet is especially exciting.

But I don’t recognise most of the films?

Odeon Premiere Screen

One of the things that may put people off attending is, as the big name showings tend to sell out quite quickly, people are then faced with a sea of films with little to no recognisable features to them. This is not a bad thing.

The first thing to note is that everything playing at the festival has been selected to play there; there isn’t much question of quality. Yes, for the less-seasoned indie-watcher the lack of knowledge about the film or host of unknown filmmakers and actors can seem daunting, but sometimes you just have to take a punt. Use the strands the festival is organized into to help understand the genre and themes, watch trailers (if there are any), look at the filmmakers’ other work (if they have any available), check out any reviews to get a better sense of the film, and just see if the plot intrigues you. Of course, your experience could go either way, but you never know what you might discover or what might surprise you. When I booked my Thoroughbreds ticket all I had to go on was a couple of stills, the knowledge that the two leads had been great in what I had seen them in, and an enticing plot synopsis. There was no trailer, but it had Sundance buzz (which I trust, others’ opinions differ). I went in with hopes, but no real knowledge of what I was about to watch, and it turned out to be one of my top films of the year.

Seeing smaller films, you also never know if they’re going to take off and blow up, but for now it almost feels like your little secret, something you and few others have experienced first. Plus, as previously mentioned, a lot of these films will probably not get a wide cinematic release when they do come out, so grab the opportunity to see them on the big screen whilst you can.

Ticket Tips

These are a few tips and tricks I have discovered through my trawling of the LFF website, and obsessive checking for tickets to sold-out screenings:

• Check for discounts and concessions
  • There are often student discounts available for all non-gala screenings, and certain films you can pre-book for only £5 as part of the under 25s scheme (all non-gala screenings, as far as I know, also have Under 25s £5 rush tickets available on the door 45 minutes before the film starts)
• Gala screenings are not all as expensive as their opening nights
  • Afternoon screenings, and later evening screenings are much cheaper, so don’t rule out seeing that film purely because its opening is expensive
• Sold out doesn’t mean you’ve missed out
  • There is a second release of tickets (worth checking LFF website for the date) where corporate sponsors return their share of unbooked tickets, and they go on sale to the general public
  • More screenings and events are added all of the time – the programme upon booking opening is constantly added to later (get their email updates for more of a heads-up for certain additions as well)
  • Constantly checking the pages for sold out events pays off, even the morning of! I managed to snag my Jake Gyllenhaal Screen Talk and Stronger screening tickets the morning of, after obsessively checking every day (after kicking myself for not checking my emails to see their addition in time)
• There are some standby tickets at the door for each screening and event
  • Guest list tickets that haven’t been collected or access seats which are not in use (as well as returns) are sold on the door from 45 minutes before the start time (although it is recommended that you queue earlier for the best chance of getting tickets.)

So, is it worth it?

For anyone who loves film, this is absolutely worth it. Seeing films first, seeing your favourite filmmakers, and soaking up the atmosphere makes for a fantastic experience, and one I can’t wait to extend upon in a year’s time.