The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival presents a Film Festivals Forum in association with UK Film Council, Skillset and Film London on Monday 19th October 2009.

Digital technology is forever changing and new opportunities are emerging all the time. How can film festivals get to grips with this rapidly changing scene and find what works for them? This one day forum is an opportunity for you to hear, think about and share how new technology can complement - or even transform - your festival. The possibilities are endless - from a total reinvention of your business plan to the development of simple tools that make it easier for audiences to engage with you online.

This Festivals Forum at the LFF is aimed at UK film festivals of all sizes and types as well as those interested in the development of the film festival sector. It will present a number of speakers and discussion sessions that look at the ideas, challenges and opportunities that digital technology can offer.

The host for the day will be technology critic Bill Thompson and we will be joined by a wide range of speakers including representatives of YouTube, SxSW Festival, Blue Barracuda and Abandon Normal Devices.

Details are:

Date: Monday 19 October 2009

Time: 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

Venue: Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street,London WC2

Tickets: £11.50

To register your interest and to receive further details, please email:

Indevents09@bfi.org.uk

with the words 'Virtually A Reality' in the subject field.