Breakthrough Open For Applications For Emerging Talent

Film London have announced the return of the London UK Film Focus (LUFF) for the 9th year, set for 25 – 28 June 2012.
International film buyers will again head to London's BFI Southbank for the four day event to acquire British feature films and bring them to an international audience.
LUFF is unique as it is the only export market which supports new UK films and UK film companies. It sees Film London working in partnership with the BFI and forms a key contribution to the UK film export strategy. Also backed by the Mayor of London, LUFF plays an important role in bringing valuable film business to the capital through UK sales agents, the majority of which are based in London.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said: "LUFF is a vital part of the UK’s export strategy and ensures a wide array of British film talent reaches an international audience. LUFF is not only incredibly important in promoting our film-making talent but supports a number of UK businesses, especially the UK sales agents. I am delighted to be working with the BFI, the Mayor of London, UK Trade & Investment and Film Export UK to deliver this important event."
Helena Mackenzie, Head of Inward Investment & Business Development at Film London said: "The strength of LUFF is seen in the quality of its delegates and the successes it consistently achieves in sales, as well as its film programme. I’m proud to say that it remains a “must attend” event for both international buyers and UK sales agents, and just as we have seen LUFF grow and develop over the last eight years, I am confident we can build on the event's success even further with even more ambitious ideas for the future."
The aim of the popular four-day event is to promote British talent, films and companies to the international marketplace. LUFF attracts well over 120 film buyers representing all world territories and programmers from a number of prominent international film festivals who come to see around 50 titles. The event generates significant income for sales agents and in 2011 resulted in approx $11.5m worth of sales, a record breaking figure.
LUFF 2012 returns with the successful Breakthrough strand, which is now open for applications. 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. Previous success stories of LUFF acting as a launch pad for Breakthrough films include Wild Bill, whose screening at LUFF last year kick started an extensive international festival and distribution campaign.
Film-makers interested in applying for Breakthrough must have a recently completed feature length project of theatrical quality ready for June 2012 with predominantly British content, cast or production team. For full details of the criteria see www.filmlondon.org.uk/luff. Deadline for submissions is 23 March 2012.