16/09/2009

BAFTA winning producer and screenwriter James Schamus will deliver the keynote address at the Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival (LFF) on the theme ‘My Wife Is A Terrorist: Lessons In Storytelling From The Department Of Homeland Security.’

Festival Artistic Director Sandra Hebron said, “James in not only someone with an enviable track record in our industry, he is also a scholar and an original thinker, and was our obvious first choice to deliver this keynote speech. I am thrilled he accepted our invitation, and am very much looking forward to what promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking address.”

This year’s industry events includes ‘Virtually A Reality: How to Digitise Your Festival’, in association with the UK Film Council (UKFC), Skillset and Film London.

UKFC Head of Distribution Pete Buckingham said: “Not only are we at the UKFC proud to be involved at the heart of this year’s London Film Festival, but we’re also excited that such a world-renowned writer and producer is coming to the festival to talk to filmmakers and film fans at what promises to be a major cultural and thought-provoking event. The UKFC’s support for initiatives such as Power to the Pixel, the first forum for all those who run film festivals, and a public debate on film and culture, is helping to bring exciting must-go events at the LFF to both filmmakers and audiences.”

Film London CEO Adrian Wootton said, “The LFF provides a recognised destination for the international industry to do business – through events such as the Production Finance Market – which has a fantastic impact on the city. It brings valuable business to the capital helping to maintain its position as a competitive global economic centre.”