On the 6th of October, the doors of cinemas across London will once again welcome attendees of the BFI London Film Festival. After last year’s gathering was limited by the pandemic – only a dozen films were screened in London, with the rest playing online – the UK’s most prestigious film event returns to full strength in 2021, with an enticing programme that will leave cinephiles giddy with excitement. Wes Anderson, Jane Campion, Julia Ducournau and Edgar Wright are just some of the headline names film fans will be flocking to see, but for us here at S/W HQ our focus lands more closely on those filmmakers more familiar in the world of shorts.

In our preview of the 65th edition of the festival, we’ll take a look at S/W alums with features screenings this year, whilst also casting an eye over the selection of shorts on offer:

FEATURES

With seven filmmakers whose work we’ve celebrated on our platform having features screening at this year’s LFF, this is further evidence (if you needed it) that showcasing your talents through short films is an excellent way to open up further opportunities in your career. Outside of the six titles below (all from directors we’ve featured on our site), we’re also excited to see what the likes of Ruth Paxton (A Banquet) and Philip Barantini (Boiling Point) have to offer, having impressed us with their short films in the past.

COSTA BRAVA, LEBANON BY MOUNIA AKL (CO-WRITER AND STAR OF THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT)

The simmering tension of unresolved disputes contrasts with the electricity of first love in Mounia Akl’s dazzling debut, heralding a striking new cinematic voice.

Strand: First Feature Competition

DASHCAM BY ROB SAVAGE (DAWN OF THE DEAF, HEALEY’S HOUSE, SALT)

Director Rob Savage teams up with Blumhouse Productions for his much-anticipated follow-up to lockdown horror hit Host.

Strand: Cult

ENCOUNTER BY MICHAEL PEARCE (KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES)

Riz Ahmed stars as a father on a mission to save his sons in Michael Pearce’s hotly-anticipated follow up to his acclaimed debut Beast.

Strand: Thrill

King Richard BY Reinaldo Marcus Green (STOP)

Will Smith delivers one of his best performances as the ambitious father of two sporting prodigies in this rousing, hugely enjoyable biopic.

Strand: Galas

Robin Robin by Dan Ojari (Slow Derek) and Mikey Please (The Eagleman Stag, Marilyn Myller)

Birds and mice are rarely known to mix, but Robin Robin has been raised by a mouse family, although he sometimes struggles to fit in.

Strand: Family

The Afterlight by Charlie Shackleton

A mesmerising collage of moments drawn from the first half of film history, performed by actors who are now deceased, and a poignant reminder of the ephemeral power of cinema.

Strand: Experimenta

Shorts

Some my favourite shorts from 2021 play this year’s LFF (you can check out my personal recommendations on Letterboxd), so even though we don’t have a lot of films from alums in the programme, we hope the selection features a lot of titles we’ll bring to the site in the near future.

For Love by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (producer of HAIRCUT)

In this beautiful drama, a couple battle for a future where they can find a home and freedom that is not determined by where they’re from.

Program: Your UK or Mine?

Happiness is a Journey by Ivete Lucas & Patrick Bresnan (Skip Day, The Rabbit Hunt)

On the night before Christmas… A glimpse into the real lives of warehouse workers on the desolate streets of Austin, Texas, in this dual-screen documentary.

Strand: Find Me Here

Nasir by Jackson Kroopf (You Know Where) & Nasir Bailey

Musician Nasir calls several family members by phone to discuss the decision to transition.

Strand: My Identity, No Crisis