BFI London Film Festival Unveils Immersive Art and Gaming in LFF Expanded 2024
The 68th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), in collaboration with American Express, has officially unveiled the LFF Expanded programme for 2024, set to run from October 11 to 27. This year's programme marks a significant expansion in scope, incorporating immersive art, extended reality (XR), and, for the first time, video games. The LFF Expanded segment underscores the festival’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge screen technologies and new forms of storytelling.
The LFF Expanded programme will feature 14 groundbreaking projects, bringing together leading British and international filmmakers, artists, and creative teams. Notable contributors include Liam Young, Adrien M & Claire B, Anagram, Darkfield, Memo Akten & Katie Peyton Hofstadter, and Hatsumi. These works will be displayed across multiple prestigious London venues, such as BFI Southbank, BFI IMAX, and Outernet London.
Five major installations form the cornerstone of LFF Expanded this year:
- Impulse: Playing with Reality by Anagram (UK) at Bargehouse: A mixed reality installation, narrated by Tilda Swinton, that delves into the complexities of ADHD through engaging gameplay and over 100 hours of interviews.
- Arcade by Darkfield (UK) at BFI Southbank: An immersive audio installation set in near-total darkness, exploring the relationship between players and avatars within a nostalgic 1980s video game setting.
- The Great Endeavour by Liam Young (UK) at Outernet London: A cinematic experience on the monumental task of collective planetary transformation by removing atmospheric carbon.
- Last Minute by Adrien M & Claire B (France) at Bargehouse: A projection mapping installation that explores the poignant moments before death and birth through music, light, and interactive projections.
- Superradiance. Embodying Earth by Memo Akten and Katie Peyton Hofstadter (Turkey/USA) at BFI IMAX: An AI-driven, multiscreen installation merging dance and sound to evoke a deep connection with global ecosystems.
In a groundbreaking move, this year’s LFF Expanded will also feature a Games Lounge at Bargehouse, showcasing five innovative video games, available for public interaction:
- A Highland Song: A narrative journey through the Scottish Highlands.
- Playing Kafka: A game based on the life and works of Franz Kafka.
- Paper Trail: A puzzle game where players navigate a foldable paper world.
- Dome King Cabbage: An award-winning psychedelic visual novel.
- Closer the Distance: A simulation game dealing with themes of collective grief.
Additionally, four free XR works exploring physical and mental health will be presented at Bargehouse, including Mammary Mountain by Tara Baoth Mooney and Emperor by Marion Burger.
Curated by Ulrich Schrauth, BFI London Film Festival’s XR and Immersive Programme Lead, the LFF Expanded programme is complemented by a series of related events, such as a discussion on ADHD and gaming, further enriching this year’s offerings.
Ulrich Schrauth highlighted the innovative nature of this year’s programme, stating, "From projection mapping to AI and immersive audio, the LFF Expanded works this year explore the intersections of healthcare and technology, and, for the first time, include video games."
Kristy Matheson, Director of the BFI London Film Festival, added, "LFF Expanded has become an integral part of the LFF experience, inviting audiences to explore the very frontiers of their imagination and beyond."
The BFI London Film Festival, the UK’s premier celebration of screen culture, continues to offer an unparalleled platform for showcasing diverse and innovative works, with more than 200 features, shorts, series, and XR works on display across London, and at partner cinemas nationwide.