One of our partners this year, Canary Wharf Film Festival, opens next week with a bang. Established in 2007 to break down the barriers between creativity and commerce by showcasing the best of UK and international filmmaking talent in one of the UK’s most iconic and well-known locations. The festival also aims to alter preconceived notions of Canary Wharf and highlighting it as London’s newest creative hub; highlighting it as a filming location and tourist destination, while fostering a creative local and sustainable community.
The programme for this year has a particular focus on budding filmmakers, as well as asking the public to Shoot Canary Wharf and a new commission provides an incredibly moving and insightful look into London’s Docklands and Waterways of yesteryear. Opening on 3 September, CWFF’s programmes include Next Generation, Nearby: East End Docks and Green Sundays which all give something back to London’s East End and are totally free!
The Next Generation Programme, with support from the Canary Wharf Group, is providing aspiring filmmakers the opportunity of a life time as part of the festival’s aim to give up and coming filmmakers a helping hand to set them on their way. CWFF have been running free filmmaking workshops – in collaboration with Chocolate Films – throughout the summer for East London students interested in learning about the filmmaking process, teaching skills from storyboarding right through to the editing process, and their final cuts will be featured at the festival.
Young filmmakers will also be given the opportunity to pitch their film idea to a panel of experts for the chance to win an invaluable training course at the Central Film School. Pitchers will receive crucial tips to equip them with the tools need to successfully pitch ideas in the future. Plus local East End boy and director of the British hit Shifty, Eran Creevy, will be talking to festival goers about his experiences in the film industry, how he climbed the film ladder and what it was like working with Asher D and brands like Nike.
The Nearby: East End Docks programme will provide a look at one of the worlds most famous industrial areas of yesteryear, paying homage to an industry which laid the foundations for London’s business quarter. The programme will take place at the Museum of London Docklands and will provide a snapshot of the Docklands and Waterways that made London a super power in the trading world.
Green Sundays is another free offering from the CWFF showcasing the areas green credentials with a string of films, discussions and a cycling tour along East London’s Regents Canal. CWFF have delved into the archives to track down films, which address issues on pollution and contamination of the Thames and turning waste into animal feed in East London.
The Green Sundays Discussion will be another highlight of the festival addressing issues around the creative industries and sustainability. The discussion is one for the diary with a panel including Ben Todd (Arcola Theatre), Clement Mariotte (Bash Creations) and Sally Wilton (Lexi Cinema).
Olivia Bellas, Festival Director, says: “This year is by far one of the best programmes which we’ve had and are the most exited about since the festivals launch. Each year the programme gets better and with so much going on this year we’re going to have our work cut out in 2010.”
Completing CWFF 09’s programme is the CWFF 09 Big Film Quiz, Between the Eyes, London Living, Shoot Canary Wharf, and the return of the Golden Canary Awards Show, recognising the festivals standout filmmakers in front of the industries finest.CWFF 09 runs from 3-7 September 2009, with films being shown at a wide range of locations, including Cineworld West India Quay, Museum in Docklands and the East Wintergarden.
CWFF is well worth the visit this year. www.cwff.org.uk
Coming Soon At Aesthetica –
We have always had a commitment to independent filmmakers, launching soon will be the Aesthetica Film Competition, which will support up and coming filmmakers with opportunities for screenings and prize money. Check www.aestheticamagazine.com for more details.