South London Film Festival attracts some big star names

By Alice Neil

A new film festival is celebrating South London’s community of creatives and film makers.

The South London Film Festival is set to premier next Sunday at 7pm and will showcase some of the best short films made this year.

The festival is open to filmmakers from both the UK and abroad with South London residents able to apply for a discounted submission fee.

The festival also aims to support new talent especially up and coming students. To help students enter they offer a non-profit “free to submit” category for students and schools.

It has already attracted the attention of international film makers such as Julie Pacino daughter of American actor and film maker Al Pacino.

The awards for honourable mention have already been announced.

Winners include Lewisham council and IAmLewisham who have worked together on their short film #ITSMORETHANAMONTH which celebrates the achievements and memories of the borough’s black communities.

The rest of the winners will be announced at a live virtual awards ceremony where all winners from the 11 different categories will have their work screened.

The official teaser trailer for the awards ceremony was released on December 5 and included big names such as rap artist Stormzy and actors Larry Lamb and Jasmine Jobson to name a few.

The festival received over 600 submissions across all of the categories including best experimental short best documentary short and best Covid-19 inspired short.

Founder Kyriakos Georgiou said: “It has been a busy year with so many changes to life which have impacted the lives businesses and hearts of many.

“Even during hard times we have relied on creativity to get us through inspire and encourage us more than ever.

“We want to bring together and celebrate filmmakers and films from around the world.

“This year we have a Covid-19 inspired short film festival category to showcase incredible talent and voice a theme we can all relate to.

The winner of Best Covid-19 Inspired Short will have their film included in an upcoming feature film Pandemic Diaries.

The festival has worked with their partners to offer unique rewards and prizes that support the careers of their film makers.

They hope to encourage creativity and inspire a new generation of film makers and are dedicated to supporting the future of the industry.

The winner of best student film will be invited to have an informal 1-to-1 meeting with a professional film producer who will answer questions and give them guidance on the next stages of their career.

Other prizes include a year’s membership with partners Catford Mews £1000 to spend on courses with partners Raindance Film Festival (London) and a year’s free Subscription of Red Giant Complete.

All Winners will receive a 1 Year subscription to Backstage Casting an award certificate and a personal video review of their film by festival hosts and judges.

They will also have their film showcased on The South London Film Festival website and promoted on their social media platforms.

In the run up to the awards ceremony the festival will be uploading a series of regular live streams with artists local businesses and other creatives.