Independent filmmakers are preparing for a huge 10 days as LIFF returns to London’s favourite independent cinema, Genesis Cinema in Mile End, from 14–23 April 2023, for the Festival’s 20th anniversary edition.

With more feature films than ever before, showcasing eight incredible independent features, LIFF will also include a dynamic line-up of short films and a programme of knowledge-sharing events chaired by industry leaders to help indie talent connect with peers and develop new expertise.

Audiences, industry leaders, film buffs, journalists and editors are invited to join London’s indie filmmakers for the full programme of screenings. Must-see films include:

· Documentary feature Alex Lewis: Mountain by Simon Ratigan
· Feature film Love Without Walls by Jane Gull.
· Feature film Revolution X by Matthew Philip Cannon
· Feature film I Bring Joy by David Stuart Snell
· Feature film To a Cinder by Henry Scriven
· Feature film Not a JPEG by Vitor Vilela
· Feature film Dream Agency by Andy Field and Deborah Pearson
· Feature film Older Gods by David A. Roberts

All feature film screenings are followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers.

The festival’s strong focus on supporting and developing emerging filmmakers has secured nine unique opportunities to enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the UK market.

The industry forums and networking events include:

LIFF’s unique speed pitching mini-market with film industry professionals, held in collaboration with SMASH

A ‘tips for pitching’ masterclass with SMASH

A ‘story surgery’ with ScriptWright

An exclusive panel with The Filmmakers Podcast

A ‘toolkit for your first feature film’ session with The Big Picture Club and Cinnect

‘How to survive and thrive in the film and TV jungle’ with Shorts 2 Features

An exclusive panel with Claire Bleasdale, renowned casting director

‘How to advance your film career online’ with Female Film Club

Multiple networking events hosted by Natasha Marburger Productions and UK Actors’ Tweetup in partnership with LIFF

Advance registration is required for each of these industry-leading sessions – more information about each event, and how to register, is available at the Genesis Cinema website.

LIFF’s mini-market is fast emerging as the UK independent film world’s premier opportunity to pitch projects to movers and shakers across the film industry. This is a speed pitching session where selected content creators will have the opportunity to pitch to industry professionals such as sales agents and producers offering invaluable advice and support.

Pitch presentations will be submitted via the SMASH platform (www.mysmash.media), where content creators can create a free professional pitch, and then shared with pitch@liff.org. Those submitting projects to the mini-market are also encouraged to attend the ‘tips for pitching’ session on Saturday 15 April, also hosted by SMASH, to help them refine their pitching skills.

LIFF Director Natasha Marburger says the training and networking programme will allow anyone interested in film to access insider tips and guidance at the same time as seeing award-winning new films.

“As filmmakers, we are always learning and gathering information, and networking is a key component. LIFF provides filmmakers with tools to help them take their next step in their careers, so I’ve ensured the programme is full of industry events that are interactive and provide lots of those networking opportunities,” says Natasha.

“We’re excited to welcome indie filmmakers to LIFF and showcase our industry’s strong and diverse talent pool in London and worldwide for this massive 20th anniversary edition of London’s favourite film festival,” she added.

The LIFF awards ceremony on Sunday 23 April will recognise and reward fresh talent in a highly competitive field of the next generation in film.