The Soho London Independent Film Festival (SohoLIFF) exists to shine a light on the stories that matter, turning the volume up on voices that need to be heard and making international cinema accessible to everyone.
With over 50 films to watch as part of the 2024 festival, there are award winners, great talent and superb newcomers. Highlights include Harry Holland’s directorial debut film starring brother and BAFTA winner Tom Holland, best known for Spider-Man, along with revered Olivier and Tony award winner Lindsey Duncan. Another debut directorial film comes from Oscar and BAFTA winner Tim Webber. Elsewhere at the festival, watch TV star Michelle Collins in The Long Walk or Australian director and actor Nash Edgerton take a leading role.
The festival line-up this year is particularly impressive bringing a diverse range of themes and genres including social and environmental impact, animation, comedy, documentary, drama, experimental, horror, LGBTQ+, smart phone film (new), student and thriller.
SohoLIFF aims to be the place where you can discover the directors of the future as well as seeing unique films starring big name actors. Previous festivals have included John Simm, Adjoa Andoh, T’Nia Miller, Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent, Tom Felton, David Yates and Danni Harmer. Director Molly Manning Walker screened her film Good Thanks, You?, going on to achieve acclaim with How To Have Sex which won a coveted award at the Cannes Film Festival.
SohoLIFF supports new and established voices aiming to highlight diverse, dynamic and inclusive stories as well as advocating sustainable film-making, focusing on social and environmental issues. With live screenings, panel discussions and workshops, the four-day festival (which is also streamed online) culminates in a grand award ceremony. Categories are listed in full on the website but include Best Student Film, Best Documentary, Best Social and Environmental Impact award and an Audience Choice Award. This year, the Audience Choice Award Winner will have their film promoted across Storm, Clear Channel’s huge digital billboards in prominent London locations.
Another festival perk is the bespoke cocktail, ‘The SohoLIFF’ from drinks sponsor The King of Soho. The cocktail is a reinvention of the classic Bramble which was invented in 1984 by Dick Bradsell, a Soho cocktail legend, when he was working at Fred’s Club in Soho. This exceptional cocktail will be available at the newly opened bar TWELFTH at 75 Dean Street in the run up to, and during, the Festival.
