London Rolling Film Festival announces official selection

The London Rolling Film Festival announce its official selection for the 2024 event.

This year’s festival will take place at VUE Piccadilly on the 27th and 28th of September, presenting a diverse range of films that showcase unique voices and creative visions from around the world.

With submissions from 28 countries and a remarkable 325% increase from last year, the selection reflects the festival’s growing global reach. The films, chosen for their exceptional quality and storytelling, represent the very best in independent filmmaking.

The festival will open with The Chocolate Club, a feature film by Deborah Hadfield, setting the tone for an inspiring two-day event. Continuing the tradition of fostering new talent, the Pitch Corner will offer filmmakers a platform to present their ideas to an audience and a panel of industry experts. The winner of the £1000 Help to Roll Fund will also be announced during the Award Ceremony on September 28th.

Festival Director Alida Pantone expressed her excitement, stating, “I am thrilled to see a significant increase in female filmmakers in competition this year, with 11 out of 15 selected films directed by women. It’s inspiring to witness such strong female representation in the industry, and I believe their unique perspectives will resonate with audiences”.

The festival will feature 13 Awards, judged by a distinguished panel of industry professionals. Among them is the Kimberley Marren Recognition Award, sponsored by The Fan Carpet, honouring unsung talents in the industry.

As is tradition, the audience will also vote for their favorite film, adding an exciting participatory element to the event.

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For the very first time the London Rolling Film festival will open with a Feature Film: 

“The Chocolate Club” + Q&A with Director Deborah Hadfield (Friday 27th September 2024 – VUE Piccadilly)

7 Strangers search for faith, hope, love and chocolate at an English support group. Therapist Stephen offers fresh brownies and friendship to lost souls at a group, nicknamed The Chocolate Club.

Rose is recovering from heartbreak with the help of her best friend Simon. She bonds with fellow chocoholic Oscar over a shared love of the sea. Dean hopes nurse Annette can help his widowed Father, George, shine again.

Strangers become friends as they share sea walks, chocolate making, cocktails and a range of joyful activities. A secret threatens the group. Simon struggles to confess his love for Rose. Oscar inspires her to be bold and sparkle. Can Rose resist the temptation of her old life and find a love as sweet as chocolate?

The short films official selection, competing for a cash prize of £500, has been chosen wisely to provide both filmmakers and the audience with a high-quality and interesting selection. Each film offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective.

The selected short films, showing on Saturday 28th September at VUE Piccadilly, are:

Echo by Jo Southwell

A young woman, Alice explores an imagined memory with her lost child, Echo. As she begins to drown in the memory, Tom calls her back to reality. But what will she choose?

Wuss by Nadine Wilson

Abandoned by his father, young Zach struggles with feelings of loss, and selfblame. Despite his mother’s encouragement to express his emotions, Zach shies away, convinced that crying reflects weakness. At least that’s what Daddy says. However, when his cherished cat goes missing he embarks on a relentless journey to find is beloved pet.

Unravel (2023)

By Maxime Bonett, Yorgo Glynatsis

Along her journey to relieve herself of anxiety, Alexia, a mid-twenty year old woman, is encouraged by Dr. Ecorn to revisit a past childhood event. She struggles to decipher the insidious meaning behind the memory. Gradually, EMDR, a technique favoured by Dr. Ecorn, reveals the true nature of her trauma. Whilst experiencing the discomforts of the therapy, Alexia begins the grueling process to healing herself.

Trigger  

By Renzo Vasquez

On a rainy night in East London, Claire and Hannah hop into a black cab. Inside, they find an unexpected bag. They argue in whispers about what to do with its mysterious contents, trying to keep it hidden from the driver, who grows suspicious. Tension escalates when the cab suddenly stops, and the driver confronts them, forcing the girls to reveal how far they’ll go to achieve their goals. But how far is too far?

Enamour by Doulla Panaretou  

A loose adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven, with a vampire plot turning.

My Husband Is A Dog by Sara Jordan

Do you believe in reincarnation? My Husband Is A Dog is a black comedy following the reunion of a widow and her dead husband who has been reincarnated as an adorable dog. They could be happy together again…. if only the dog didn’t have an owner.

Meeting Mr. Oscar

Director Toni Short

Audrey, a middle aged woman sleepwalking through her life, encounters an elderly eccentric stranger, Mr. Oscar, who challenges her way of thinking and daily routines. Their unexpected friendship becomes a catalyst for her to step out of her comfort zone and move forward in a new direction.

Marvin The Vampire

By Adrian Ramirez León

It’s Marvin’s first day at a support group for vampires where they discuss personal problems as well as bigger ones – such as the climate crisis. Fangs and feelings collide as Marvin embraces a community that takes a bite out of both the mundane and monumental challenges of their undead existence.

(w)hole

by Natasha Redmond

Two characters meet and fall in love, sharing pieces of themselves with each other, but soon find the fragility of their connection and themselves.

Good Luck Nelle

By Carissa Thorne

After being evicted by her landlord, Nelle has just 24 hours to find a room to rent in London.

The Sands of Time

By James Hughes

A Time Portal in the Sands Brings a Young Couple Together.

Unique Together

By Lena Kadriye Ziyal

Unique Together is an animated branding video about the collective work environment of the creative agency Infotext.

Forbidden

By Charlotte Vacková

A coming-of-age short surrealist drama about a girl stuck between order and passion. In a pure, ideal world full of rules, one schoolgirl is tempted to get a forbidden kiss and then faces the consequences of her behaviour.

Pretty Bonnets

Director Mick Dow

Once apon a time, in a world where public services are collapsing from cuts, baby-wear couturier Christine has sold her home to open PrettyBonnets.com. But when burglars break-in and the police won’t come. Christine has no choice. She has to go down and stop them!

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All filmmakers are required to be present for their films to be shown—one of the festival’s unique rules designed to encourage meaningful connections between creators and the audience.

Attendees can look forward to screenings, engaging discussions, networking, red carpet photo opportunities, and interviews with filmmakers.

Tickets are available through FilmFreeway, and we encourage attendees to purchase them in advance.