Written by Laura Jenkinson
Still photography is a new addition to the Festival this year, with an exhibition at the Free Word Center – Salt Water Tears by award winning photographer Munem Wasif – during the Festival, reminding us of the potency of the simple photograph: sans voiceover, sans split screen, but still a lasting effect. The Shoot Experience runs fantastic photography competitions with an edge that I’ve been wanting to participate in for ages. You pay to register, then get a group of friends together, give yourself a funny group name, and head off round the chosen area of London with your cameras with a pre-written story and take pictures of your interpretations of the answers. Read the rest of this entry »
Written by Laura Jenkinson
Relaxing in the beautiful interior of this reclaimed and elegant listed building round the corner from Kings Cross St. Pancras has been an intimate experience. The long low room of warm bare brick and girders that forms the viewing room, with beanbag chairs at the front for truly relaxed viewing, has played host to some extremely interesting documentaries on the liminal spaces and hidden views of an otherwise well-known city. The listening room too has presented attendees, lying on the floor to enjoy them, with further stories of hidden London. Photographers Peter Marshall and Alex Brattell and filmmaker John Rogers amongst others have been discussing documentary-making with students of all ages, over coffee in the cafe, and the afternoon is continuing…
Written by Grace Pattison
The 2010 programme has now opened online with titles being added daily. Incredibly, our opening film, Abel Ferrara’s Napoli, Napoli, Napoli has sold out already! Other films at during our opening weekend at the Barbican are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to book now. Plus while you’re at the Barbican, check out Toby Smith’s incredible Madagascar: Bois de Rose – in the Mezzanine gallery, beautiful images and a gripping story about illegal logging on the African island. The work is on display from 17th April – 26th April. Watch out for more updates and a down-loadable PDF of the whole programme coming soon!
© Toby Smith/Reportage by Getty Images
Written by Grace Pattison
The closing date for applications to the first LIDF Documentary Photography Workshops with Magnum Photographers Olivia Arthur and Donovan Wylie is now Monday 5th April (extended by 1 day due to the Easter holidays!).
Please get your applications in on time to avoid disappointment. Successful photographers will be notified by email by Monday 12th April. Good Luck!
Written by Grace Pattison
For three years, LIDF has explored and showcased some of the best documentary films from around the world. Now, we’ve decided to delve deeper into the true meaning of ‘documentary’ and explore this method of real life story-telling through other media.
Photographic and radio documentaries will be included in this year’s programme, increasing the scope of material we exhibit and the range of practitioners we work with. Professionals from the film, photography and radio industries will join our panels, lead workshops and participatory events, and contribute new voices to our ‘conversations in documentary’. Highlights so far include Documentary Photography workshops with Magnum photographers, and a photographic treasure-hunt in and around the streets of Bloomsbury.
What’s more, the festival will now run for 16 days (23 April – 8 May) that’s twice as long as last year, so you’ll have plenty of time to get involved. Look our for further event details and very special announcements coming soon!
© Olivia Arthur/Magnum Photos
