East London Film Festival to get underway next week

Robin de Peyer Friday, June 29, 2012
4:59 PM

East London will cement its status as the city’s cultural capital this week, as the annual East End Film Festival attracts film-makers from around the world.

More than 1,000 films by producers from 40 different countries will be screened at the festival, including 35 world premieres and 17 UK premieres in venues across East London.

It will also include a fringe festival, focusing on emerging talent, which will see more than 100 venues in East London host free screenings in the build-up to the main event.

Artistic director Alison Poltock has expressed her excitement at the diversity of the programme on offer this year, and praised the high standard of the films featured.

She said: “In strained times you always get good art. The standard of films we are attracting is getting better year on year, and we are lucky that the East End is such a vibrant area because it means we can find 100 venues who all want to get involved.

“With films from over 40 countries and activities for all ages and backgrounds, we expect this to be our best ever festival,” she added.

Tuesday night’s curtain-raiser will feature the UK premiere of Arena: Amy Winehouse, the documentary filmed when the late singer performed visited a tiny Irish village in 2006 to play the Other Voices festival,

Sunday’s closing night will also feature an awards ceremony at the Rich Mix in Bethnal Green Road. The four categories up for grabs are: best feature film; best feature documentary; best UK short film; and best film audience award, with winners being chosen by panels of industry expert.

The fringe festival gets underway on Sunday, with the main festival commencing on Tuesday evening.

For more information on timetables and venues, visit: http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/