LUFF Announce Premieres and Breakthroughs

Huge, the hotly anticipated debut from British comedian Ben Miller starring BAFTA-winner Noel Clarke and Thandie Newton, will now screen at this year's London UK Film Focus (LUFF). Appearing in the Breakthrough strand, Miller and his producers will be hoping to secure a sales agent at this year's event.
Premiere's at this year's LUFF will include Cherry Tree Lane, the latest from Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton), Martin Kemp's feature debut Exposé, Intandem Films' UK/Spanish co-production Ways to Live Forever starring Ben Chaplin and Cosi starring Richard E. Grant and Mía Maestro.
LUFF will welcome over 120 international film buyers and festival directors to London for the four day event taking place from Monday 28th June to Thursday 1st July.
LUFF is a unique export initiative which has historically supported new UK films and UK film companies. Now in its seventh year, the event has expanded to also include a small selection of British films represented by foreign sales agents and non-British films from UK sales agents. This is in direct response to feedback from the industry following an independent review of LUFF commissioned by Film London and the UK Film Council.
An important annual event in the film industry's international calendar, LUFF attracts buyers representing all world territories who come to see around 50 titles. The event generates significant income for sales agents and last year resulted in approximately $4m worth of sales, up $1m from 2008.
The Breakthrough strand will build on the success of last year which saw premieres and subsequent bidding wars for successful films such as Sons of Cuba and She, A Chinese. With an open application process, Breakthrough offers an important platform for emerging British film-makers seeking sales representation, plus providing a chance for international buyers to monitor upcoming UK talent. Alongside Huge, other highlights this year are Honeymooner from Director Col Spector who picked up awards and rave reviews for his previous feature Someone Else and short starring Keira Knightley, New Year's Eve and Treacle Junior starring Aidan Gillen from BIFA nominated Jamie Thraves.
Helena Mackenzie, Head of Inward Investment & Business Development at Film London, commented: "I am delighted that LUFF has expanded allowing a wider selection of film-makers and sales agents can enjoy the benefits of this unique event. The changes to LUFF this year reflect developments in the industry and I believe it is important the event evolves and adapts to these changes to ensure it remains as popular and as relevant as possible."
(BMcN)