Walthamstow International Film Festival

Now in its fifth year, the Walthamstow International Film Festival is a local celebration of cinematic talent from around the world which includes films of 3 minutes and under in the Drama, Documentary, Animation, Experimental and First Film categories. For the full programme of events please click here.  

How have you been preparing for this year's trail? 

We held the judging at the BFI last Friday 16th May but have been promoting the Call for Entries both internationally and locally since last year.  Entries closed 30th April and it's been all go since then with shortlisting, recruiting local judges in the industry and preparing the films for exhibition. 

Could you tell us about an an artist/ artwork that  particularly inspires you? 

Paul Fletcher is inspired by experimental film-makers and loves Jonas Mekas and Jem Cohen. Liza Fletcher is keen to promote local talent and to host and screen unusual cinema events that don't usually get an airing. I am looking at contemporary cinematic classics and am thrilled at screening Blancanieves at The Stow Film Lounge.  I am also looking at jewels from British cinema of the 1970s in the near future... 

How does inhabiting a community like Walthamstow help your practice?  

Geographically we are in the home of silent cinema, inhabiting the area in which Battle of the Somme and Battle of Ancre were made by the Silent Screen giants: Cunard and Precision Studios (formerly based in Wood Street). Spiritually we have a new tribe of cinema and television creatives in the area and the goodwill from this community has ensured the growth of our film festival.  Having the BFI at the end of a tube journey has benefited us and gives kudos to the young and not so young talented film-makers who submit their films to us. 

What are you most looking forward to during the E17 Art Trail this year ? 

We are most looking forward to the screenings and workshops of our own events but generally look forward to the atmosphere in Walthamstow when the art trail is on...there is never enough time to see everything and everyone has a real sense of community pride and feels happy to live here. Cheesy but true - ask anyone! 

Listing no.114 in the guide: Click here for more information