Read interviews and behind the scenes reports and reflections (Image © Getty images)

 offers insights from filmmakers working today. 

 provides first-hand festival and event experiences, while our 

series takes a more in-depth look at the UK and international film scene from the experts. 

Sarah Ticho, multi award winning XR artist connecting health, wellbeing, and immersive storytelling, takes Soul Paint around the world 

Sarah Ticho's Soul Paint finds international fans

A snapshot of the rich map of film festivals staged annually across the UK

UK Film Festival Guide

Savvy Stories for Young Minds: My Experience at m:brane Forum

Aleksandra Rydzkowska reports from m:brane Forum 

Ka Ki Wong sends a dispatch from Docs by the Sea 

Docs by the Sea

Ada Cotton heads to Kigali Cine Junction

Jo Sargeant, a neurodivergent writer/producer and actor and creative director heads to ReelAbilities festival in New York 

Celeb-spotting at ReelAbilities 2024

We're off to Sheffield DocFest to help make international connections happen

A truly international Sheffield DocFest

Catherine Bray, our Snr Festival Consultant, celebrates the UK films taking over Venice Critics' Week 2023

Hoard/Sky Peals take over Venice Critics' Week

A diverse, disability-led festival that works to change in how society views and values people with disabilities

Toby Parker Rees heads to RespectAbility

Having hosted selector screenings for the Festival in London earlier this year, our Fest Consultant heads for Karlovy Vary to see the UK work on show

On The Ground: Catherine Bray checks out the UK films at Karlovy Vary 2023

Joseph Wallace's 24 Hours in Cannes

Ross White and Tom Berkeley carry home the top prize

An Irish Goodbye turns heads at the Oscars

Sarah Cole, Creative Archivist at Time/Image, the mastermind behind digitising the British Council film archive collection, explores the common themes of a united nation.

In focus: The British Council film archive collection looks back on who we were

BFI National Archive curator Dylan Cave looks at the UK's short filmmaking expertise, past and present.

In focus: What’s great about UK short films?

The creators of a new development award for UK films in languages other than English tell us about some of the films that kickstarted the search. 

In focus: UK Film not in the English language

We regularly work with festival programmers to uncover and showcase some of the most exciting new work being made by UK talent. Here, two industry experts offer their thoughts on the art of documentary in the UK. 

In focus: A renaissance for UK documentary

What's next for UK animation? We spoke to three industry experts to find out.

In focus: Putting UK animation on the map

Tega Okiti reports on her trip to mark 50 years of the Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou.

On the ground: Tega Okiti at FESPACO 

Producer, programmer and curator Tega Okiti champions letting curiosity be your guide and thinking outside the box.

Five minutes with: Tega Okiti

London-based filmmaker Taratoa Stappard looks back on his prize-winning trip to the Māoriland Film Festival in his birth town Aotearoa.

On the ground: Taratoa Stappard at Māoriland Film Festival

We were out in force at the first fully in person Sheffield Doc/Fest for two years – and rediscovered the joys of connecting face to face. 

On the ground: Sheffield Doc/Fest is back

We chatted to British filmmaker Richard Squires about his movie influences, Hanna-Barbera villains and the UK tour of his debut feature film, Doozy.

Five minutes with: Richard Squires

With most of the archive unseen for the past 50 years, we're keen to find out if there are people who have a connection to any of the films.

In focus: Do you recognise anyone in the British Council film archive collection?

Are you isolating and missing the outside world? Fancy a day out without leaving lockdown? Films from our archive highlight beautiful scenery to tide you over.


In focus: Natural beauty to see you through quarantine  

How can film professionals balance attending an international film festival with caring for their kids? 

On the ground: Taking the kids to Cannes 

We spoke to Girls in Film founder Nikola Vasakova about career highlights, advice for new filmmakers and her next moves.

Five minutes with: Nikola Vasakova

As Covid-19 makes the world feel strange and new, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the NHS.

Before 5th July 1948 when the NHS was launched, health services were very different.

In focus: A celebration of health services on film

Filmmaker Morgan Quaintance wonders about his career high - and tells us what he's working on at the moment.

Five minutes with: Morgan Quaintance

Three new short films have been commissioned by BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the British Council, and BFI NETWORK as part of More Films for Freedom.

In focus: More Films for Freedom

Mhairi Valentine reports from one of the first in-person festivals since March 2020.

On the ground: Venice 2020 

We talked to BFI Network Talent Executive and Bounce Cinema founder Mathieu Ajan about all things film.

Five minutes with: Mathieu Ajan

 Maria Cabrera reflects on her time at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).

On the ground: Maria Cabrera at BAM

Three arts students from the BFI Film Academy share highlights from the film exhibition innovation conference, including their impressions of a vintage mobile cinema called Audrey.

In focus: The lowdown on This Way Up

Our new Senior Festival consultant spent the weekend at Karlovy Vary Film Festival enjoying the UK films on display. 

On the ground: Catherine Bray checks out the UK films at Karlovy Vary 

The American festival of films by people of colour energised and inspired our Film Programme Manager Jemma Desai.

On the ground: Jemma Desai at the BlackStar Film Festival

With UK lockdown in place, many of us are in need of some home-schooling teaching materials.  Look no further - all the essential life lessons are right here!

In focus: Home schooling lessons for lockdown  

Playwright and Screenwriter Helen Blakeman tells us how she got started in the industry and offers some advice. 

Five minutes with: Helen Blakeman

Bristol-based producer Harry Silverlock takes a road trip to Dok Leipzig with his project Gimme One. 

On the ground: Harry Silverlock at Dok Leipzig

Filmmaker, artist and founder of Working Class Films, Hafsah Naib answers our questions

Five minutes with: Hafsah Naib

Do you have a question about the film festival circuit or need help with your feature film festival strategy?

Community & Support: Festival Strategy Advice Sessions

Find out about the illustrious filmmakers who had their big break working on our archive films.

In focus: Made famous by the British Council film archive collection

On the ground: Erik Nuding heads for Visions Du Reel

On UN English Language Day, we look to our film collection to explore how our national playwright speaks to our times.

In focus: Happy Birthday, Shakespeare

The British Iranian producer recognises the lessons that the autistic community brings to our current period of isolation - and celebrates her cultural highlights

Five minutes with: Elhum Shakerifar

On the ground: We celebrate a rejuvenated Edinburgh International Film Festival

Filmmaker Ed Sayers talks about the 20th year of Straight 8, and how nothing's ever as bad (or good) as it seems.

Five minutes with: Ed Sayers

Producer Dora Nedeczky describes her visit to an in-person film festival.

On the ground: Dora Nedeczky at Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy

Exploring how games can reflect our rich culture.

In focus: Cultural connections for games

Filmmaker Corine Dhondee travelled to Atlanta, supported by the British Council, to attend BronzeLens Film Festival.

On the ground: Corine Dhondee at BronzeLens

Examining the role of the British Council film archive collection in the UK's 'documentary movement'.

In focus: British-made for the global village

Three short films, each inspired by the British Council film collection.

In focus: A contemporary take on the British Council film archive collection

Brian Robinson, senior programmer for BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival, finds hope in a modern city where homosexuality is still taboo.

On the ground: Brian Robinson at the Seoul Pride Film Festival

Has Covid-19 stopped your Animation Festival plans before they've even started?

Community & Support: Animation Salon

Self-taught filmmaker Alegría Adedeji on her directorial debut and watching her ideas come to life on set.

Five minutes with: Alegría Adedeji

The BAFTA-nominated producer spoke to us about animation, making contacts and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

​Five minutes with: Abigail Addison

Director Abena Taylor-Smith reflects on her trip to LA for the Pan African Film Festival, embracing spontaneity and what it's like to be introduced as a 'female filmmaker'. 

On the ground: Abena Taylor-Smith at the Pan African Film Festival

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View our range of international opportunities for filmmakers, creatives, professionals and organisations.

Opportunities

Take a trip down memory lane with this rights-free collection of over 100 short documentaries about wartime Britain, made by us during the 1940s.

British Council film archive

Read interviews, behind the scenes reports on festivals and other film events in the UK and internationally.

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