Free talks and workshops

Archives of a Present Future

A panel discussion and workshop led by global majority LGBTQIA+ artists, filmmakers and archivists, exploring archives as powerful tools for shaping the future.

The Art of the Whodunit: Rian Johnson on Knives Out

The master of modern murder mysteries joins us to discuss his creative process as director and writer, and how he’s reinventing the genre.

Beyond Words: The Power of Visual Storytelling

Discover the art of visual storytelling in this inclusive workshop inspired by the silent film era – when stories were told without dialogue.

Black Is Beautiful: A poetry writing workshop

Come celebrate Black excellence and creativity with us through poetry and imagery.

Botanical Futures: Plant-Based Solutions for Climate and Sustainability

A timely conversation sparked by Future Botanica, an Augmented Reality app that enables users, in collaboration with an AI, to design speculative ecosystems with new nature.

Celebrating Film Preservation with Film Heritage Foundation

Find out the story behind the restoration of the epic Indian blockbuster Sholay and Gehenu Lamai (The Girls), the landmark Sri Lankan portrait of girlhood.

Coming of (Older) Age: The Older Woman

From maternal archetypes to eccentric outliers, this discussion will consider how cinema reinforces or challenges stereotypes of aging femininity.

Diaspora Dreams: Migration, Memory and Belonging in Cinema

An examination of how migration and diaspora are portrayed on screen, with a focus on identity, nostalgia and dislocation.

Femme Fatale to Final Girl: Evolving Archetypes in Genre Cinema

An examination of the development of iconic female tropes across noir and horror – from the seductive femme fatale to the resilient final girl.

Film and Mental Health: Is Cinema Helping or Hurting?

A look at how anxiety, depression and the complexities of mental health are depicted in films and series.

From Metropolis to Ex Machina and Beyond

Tracing the evolution of AI representations on the screen.

Gaming and Cinema: Storytelling in the Multiverse

Join us to explore how gaming culture is influencing film language and vice versa.

Girls on Film: Live at LFF

A fun, feminist film chat with the world’s leading podcast about women in film, hosted by Anna Smith.

Imagining Just Futures

Explore how film and television shape our visions of the future and imagine just, anti-oppressive worlds through storytelling.

The Inner Critic: Silencing Self-Doubt

Behind every creative mind is a doubting voice. Hear how filmmakers challenge self-criticism and reclaim their artistic confidence.

Let’s Talk About Sex (on Screen)

A panel discussion about portrayals of sex and sexuality in contemporary film and television, and what these representations can tell us about sexual politics and gender cultures today.

Mum’s the Word: Motherhood on Screen

From perfect mums to messy ones – join us for an exploration of the many faces of motherhood, as portrayed in film and television.

On Our Own Terms

Artists creating cutting-edge, award-winning work share insights into their innovative, socially engaged approaches, which respond directly to today's cultural and political realities.

Pride and Prejudice: A Timeless Romance

A celebration of the enduring romance, and cinematic legacy, of Austen’s beloved masterpiece.

Reel Poverty: Stories of Struggle, Survival and Dignity in Trying Times

An exploration of how directors and writers portray poverty – not as a statistic, but as a lived experience.

Rewriting the Reel: Telling Our Own Stories

Join us for an inspiring and unfiltered panel discussion featuring disabled filmmakers and XR practitioners who are flipping the script on how disability is shown on screen.

Soft Boys and Sad Girls: Vulnerability on Screen

An exploration of how contemporary films and shows are reframing emotional expression and vulnerability.

Still Nouvelle: The French New Wave’s Influence on Modern Cinema

This talk looks at the way that the French New Wave continues to be relevant in today’s cinema.

Stranger Than Fiction: Larger-Than-Life True Stories on the Screen

We look at unbelievable true stories brought to life on screen – real people, real drama and events more extraordinary than any fiction could imagine.

Voices From the Frontline of Regeneration

A panel discussion exploring London’s ongoing regeneration and its deep, often overlooked impact on Black, Brown and migrant communities.

The Wizard of Wicked

Director Jon M. Chu discusses his groundbreaking vision of Oz.