pearceP's blog

London is known for many things, but not necessarily genre film. Overlapping with the Palestine Film Festival and hot on the heels of the East End Film Festival, Sci-Fi London recently hoisted its flag of science-fiction and fantastical film for its eighth edition. The term “science-fiction” doesn’t quite cover this richly-packed six-day event which notably offers a stream of “science fact” related talks, debates and demonstrations. Check out genre films like former Skids frontman Scotsman Richard Jobson's short I Am Digital (view the trailer here) and Stingray Sam, the newly-completed six-part series from Cory McAbee (view the trailer here). The Independent’s Patrick Pearce did a fly-by of the fest to give you a sample of the films, directors and general goings-on at Sci-Fi London.

What do we know of Pakistan? Formerly part of India and an independent state recently turned 60. Dodgy government and military, complicated nuclear-armed international politics. And in the media blasts of recent years, the home of boot camps and hideouts for international terrorists. But what else? With this question, LIDF director Patrick Hazard set out to see if filmmaking for social change could fly in Pakistan.

The London International Documentary Festival has no film marketplace, no pitching sessions, and its debates seem more oriented towards society at large rather than the industry. So what drives it? The Independent’s Patrick Pearce chats with festival director Patrick Hazard about the LIDF’s origins, themes and raison d’être.

From freak shows to fetishes to filmmaking for social change in Pakistan, London International Documentary Festival (LIDF) showcases documentaries from all over the world and subjects from every corner of the imagination. The Independent blogger Patrick Pearce give us the scoop from across the Atlantic, covering everything from the history of this three-year-old festival, to the venues and, of course, the filmmakers. Catching everything from the the John Samson Retrospective to Richard Butchins's first feature The Last American Freak Show (view the trailer here), Pearce relates the full experience of the opening weekend event.