Words

Tom Williams

Five things to see at the London Short Film Festival 2017

The LSFF returns with an impressive and occasionally surprising line-up...

The London Short Film Festival has been championing cutting-edge short format cinema for the past 14 years, establishing itself as an essential event on the film festival calendar. It grows in size every year and the 2017 edition is not be missed, with a diverse programme boasting a healthy mix of voices new and old. Here are just a handful of events worth looking out for when the festival rolls into town again in the new year.

David Bowie: Sound & Vision

10 January @ Picturehouse Central

What better way to celebrate the life of David Bowie than to watch three short films spread over three decades of his life. The Image sees Bowie as a 20-year-old on the verge of musical history just before the release of ‘Space Oddity’. This silent 15-minute piece will be accompanied by a Q&A with director Michael Armstrong. From the ’70s there’s Cracked Actor, the longest of the three at 53 minutes, which documents Bowie’s Diamond Dogs tour and his reflection of his iconic Ziggy Stardust phase. Last up is Jazzin’ for Blue Jean, shot in 1984 and consisting of an original story composed by Bowie himself.

Jessica Barden: Rising Star + Q&A

12 January @ ICA

Barden is a veteran of the short film world and a prominent homegrown talent. Her stand out role in a major film came recently in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster as Nosebleed Woman. You may recognise her from 2011’s Hanna and 2015’s Far from the Madding Crowd. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most exciting young filmmakers in the UK right now.

The Vines of Limmy + Q&A

12 January @ Picturehouse Central

If you’re not already familiar with the incredibly funny Limmy, then you really haven’t lived. The Glaswegian man of many faces won a BAFTA for his convention-smashing show in 2010. Covering a variety of topics in equally damning and unapologetic ways, Limmy’s 600+ vines will be on display in what is sure to be an insightful meander through the mind of an extremely talented short filmmaker.

Crossroads + Q&A

15 January @ Picturehouse Central

Britney’s back and not just in those unbearable EE adverts. After her musical comeback this year, LSFF are screening Tamra Davies’ cult favourite Crossroads from 2002. Packed with nostalgia and the likes of Zoe Saldana and Taryn Manning in their early days, this is sure to be a delightful blast from the past.

Youth Decades: Part Two: Eighties, Nineties, Noughties & Beyond

14 January @ ICA

Speaking of Noughties, the second instalment of short docs exploring youth culture through the decades looks set to be an electric event. Following on from the previous three decades explored in part one, this sees several films celebrating London’s eclectic youth scene. The shorts range from 1986’s Heavy Metal Parking Lot by Jeff Krulik and John Heyn, which was reportedly watched religiously by Nirvana, to 2009’s Grinding by Simon Wheatley, which documents the rising grime scene.

The LSFF runs 6-15 January at various venues across London. For more info and to book tickets visit shortfilms.org.uk

Published 15 Dec 2016

Tags: David Bowie Jessica Barden Yorgos Lanthimos

Suggested For You

A practical guide to making your first short film

By Sophie Monks Kaufman

Five emerging filmmakers offer essential first-hand advice for how to bring your creative vision to life.

David Bowie on the set of The Man Who Fell to Earth

By David Jenkins

Cinematographer Tony Richmond discusses the making of Nicolas Roeg’s 1977 sci-fi opus.

Why it’s time to start taking short films seriously

By Sarah Jilani

The medium once described as “anti-cinema” is pushing the boundaries of the artform.

Little White Lies Logo

About Little White Lies

Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.

Editorial

Design