Editor

In a time of major arts cuts and a period of recession, short films are not high on the agenda in the general scheme of things. Because of this, the traditional career paths in the film industry are no longer sustainable. It’s year zero, but it’s also a creative time for UK film; a time where the possibilities are endless and the rule-book can be re-written.

Coming in January: The 8th London Short Film Festival is the place where we can see the future in some of the people who are forging ahead in spite of adversity. With more entries than ever before, this year’s Festival showcases a cross-section of UK-made work in 20 programmes of ‘new shorts’ totaling over 250 films. The Festival continues its tradition of retrospectives with four major showcase screenings by filmmakers who have all come to film through less traditional pathways, working in mediums outside of traditional cinema; Clio Barnard, Ben Rivers, Ruth Paxton and Folk Projects are all creating vibrant, original work with its roots in short film, plus the premiere of a new installation work by Luke Seamore & Joseph Bull (the makers of Isolation). There's also a grass-roots aesthetic to London's on-going burgeoning alternative film club scene, and the Festival taps into organisations such as Kino London, Club des Femmes, Salon des Refuses, DocHeads, the London Animation Club, the Cabinet of Living Cinema, Midnight Movies and Electrovision, all forging ahead independently with exciting regular events, and showcasing here at LSFF. The Festival will also be hosting cross-arts events mixing film and music from Jersey's Branchage Festival and the north-east's Abandon Normal Devices. The Festival industry strand is bigger than ever, stretching across multiple venues and with numerous partners on board to discuss, teach, and learn from our audiences.

We live in exciting times and, over 10 days in January 2011, London-wide, the 8th London Short Film Festival hopes to prove that the short film industry is still very much alive and kicking.

FULL FESTIVAL DETAILS WILL BE RELEASED OVER THE NEXT WEEK; WATCH THIS SPACE
www.shortfilms.org.uk / 8th London Short Film Festival 7 - 16 January 2011