Orbital is a new project for LSFF that expands on everything we do, as supported by BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery. 

This is a new project for 2024 that aims to bring LSFF to more people across London, to offer new opportunities in curation and festival work, and to expand our network of venue cinemas.

The word itself has a few meanings; a circle, an eye, the M25 motorway encircling Greater London, and the electronic music act; all of which can be linked to LSFF and what we do.

Orbital is:

  • A screening curated by a new curator, or a film collective we haven’t collaborated with before (you can filter these events using the Orbital category on the Programme page)

  • An event that takes place in a new venue outside of Central or East London. These include Phoenix, Lexi Cinema, ActOne, Peckhamplex and The Space, Isle of Dogs

  • An event for a new audience for LSFF, including families and children under 15 and audiences local to our new venues

  • An event that takes place outside, on a different kind of screen (gaming events, films on BFI Player, or outdoor screenings)

  • New sector support events as part of our Industry programme, to encourage young people to consider careers in film or to make their own shorts

  • Increased access to LSFF, via subsidised ticketing, a wider range of captioned screenings, and relaxed screenings for neurodivergent audiences. We also partner with Oska Bright film festival this year on a screening by and for those with additional learning needs and autism.