Film Event: My 6 Most Anticipated Film Events of 2017

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It's that time of the year again where I emerge from the shadows and sample the film delights that London has to offer. For all you cinephiles out there, in no particular order, here's a little look at just a few of my most anticipated film events to look forward to in the following months...

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What started out in the creator's very own back garden, is now one of the best film events in London. Throughout the year, Backyard Cinema host a variety of films in an immersive location, both in and outdoors around London. Complete with food, drinks, live music and character actors, it makes for the ultimate cinema experience.  

Unlike some other rooftop screenings, Backyard Cinema work to create a world that reflect the films. Having previously created a jungle for Jurassic Park, a zombie apocalypse for Halloween and an old American chapel for Tarantino, this year they're back for Summer with Miami Beach. To name a few, they'll be showing such films as The Little Mermaid (1989), Lilo and Stitch (2002), Grease (1978) and Moana (2016). Basically, if you love film and Instagram-ing your surroundings then Backyard Cinema makes for a real treat. Tickets start from £16.50 and screenings are running now until August (with further dates to be added). See more information here.

If you're a die hard horror fan (or just a general lover of cinema) then FrightFest is the film festival for you. As the UK's largest genre specific film festival, this year seems to be bigger than ever as it returns to it's rightful home in Leicester Square. Held Thursday 24th August until Monday the 28th August, the event will be held across several screens at Cineworld Leicester Square (formerly Empire) and The Prince Charles Theatre.

As well as the chance to see dozens of films across the weekend, the festival also gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the filmmakers themselves - and possibly meet the stars. However, what truly sells it for me each year (besides a press pass) is the atmosphere - the shared experience with like-minded movie fans in a giant movie theatre. I honestly can't wait to see which film delights are being featured this year. If you'd be interested in attending this year, tickets for this year's festival go on sale on 1st July at 12pm and can be purchased via their website. Day passes and individual film tickets are also available. For you first timers, you can check out my Fright Fest survival guide here. 

Now, I know I've mentioned them plenty of times before but I do love me some rooftop. Rooftop Film Club is an open-air cinema based across several picturesque London, NYC and LA locations. Hosting a series of cult and modern day movie classics, Rooftop invites film lovers to pull up a deck chair, grab some tasty treats and enjoy some of London's most stunning views.  

This year, they're back with more summery film screenings across Rooftop East (Stratford), The Bussey Building in Peckham, Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch and the Roof Gardens in Kensington. If you're heading over there, you can see such films as Arrival (2016), La La Land (2016), The LEGO Batman Movie (2016) and many more. Tickets are available from their website and screenings are running from now until the end of August (further dates TBC). You can check out some of my posts from Rooftop Film Club here. 

I recently had the pleasure of attending MCM London Comic Con for the very first time at Excel London. Whilst I loved being there and can't wait to go again, I very quickly came across another, similar event centred more heavily around the film aspects - London Film and Comic Con. Taking over the Olympia in London in July for an entire weekend, the LFCC features a whole host of activities including photo shoots with comic, TV and cult film stars; panels and literally hundreds of memorabilia stalls. 

Just a few of the celebrities in attendance this year include Alyson Hennigan (Buffy, How I Met Your Mother), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), James and Oliver Phelps (Harry Potter) and John Cleese (Monty Python). Of course, there are many, many more. The event takes places from Friday 28th July until Sunday 30th and weekend or day passes can be purchased via their website. 

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As this year's submissions come to a close, the 61st BFI Film Festival will soon play host to 240 films from 72 countries in 16 cinemas in London across 12 days. As usual, the BFI will heading up the celebrations with a whole host of competitions and events across the city for the duration of October.

I was unfortunately unable to attend last year but am determined to attend at least one screening this time around. Last year's festival saw such films as La La Land (2016), Lion (2016) and A United Kingdom (2016) so, naturally, I can't wait to see what this year will have in-store. Individual tickets and festival passes go on sale in September and can be purchased via their website. 

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OK, so there's a lot of outdoor film screenings across London this year. However, a little known fact with Film 4 Summer Screens is that it also comes with a diverse and entertaining programme of talks, workshops and family activities. Last year, Jack and I headed over to check out Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick and some of their print screen workshops. Each year, Film4 work exclusively with some of the most talented London designers in the industry to create an incredible collection of film design prints. The prints are exhibited inside the venue with screenings of each film running throughout Summer.

If you're an avid film fan, it really makes for a refreshing and inspiring film event and is well worth the visit. The print exhibits are free to attend and outdoor cinema screenings start from £17 per person. Tickets are available now from their website with films showing until late August with some dates still to be confirmed.

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Well, that's it for my most anticipated film events of 2017. Which film events are you most looking forward to this year? As always, I love reading your comments so please do leave me lots of lovely ones down below.

Until next time fellow film fans,