Billed as the only film festival in the world dedicated to duration in moving image art, the Slow Film Festival will take place at the Good Shepherd Studios in Leytonstone on the 5th and 6th of October
A unique film festival dedicated to the art of “slow cinema” will return to Leytonstone this October.
Billed as the only film festival in the world dedicated to duration in moving image art, the seventh iteration of The Slow Film Festival (SFF), will take place at the Good Shepherd Studios in Leytonstone on the 5th and 6th of October.
Slow cinema is a genre of art cinema recognised as a style that is minimalist, observational, and which typically emphasizes long takes. It is also called “contemplative cinema”.
Tickets for the festival are on sale now. SFF aims to give space to view and discuss films that are pushing the boundaries of “slow film” as well as those that have defined its history.
The festival also says it strives to be a “meeting point where the uses of duration in film can be debated” and where “new friendships and potential collaborations can take root”.
The festival has historically always taken place in the village of Mayfield, East Sussex since 2016. However, a change in director and board of trustees necessitated the need for a new home for the festival, and a fresh location in East London was sought.
Good Shepherd Studios was chosen because it was felt it would be able to create the feeling of “communal spectatorship and discussion” that was always fostered in Mayfield.
Good Shepherd Studios is a coworking and community space featuring a cinema that was established in 2022, after locals came together to save the building from being turned into flats.
Slow Film Festival’s 2023 iteration featured a rare screening of Al Wong’s 70’s masterpiece of slowness Twin Peaks which was followed by a lively discussion led by Kiki Yu and Victor Fan.
To date, the festival has collaborated on programmes with institutions including MUBI and the British Council and has screened work from artists including Ben Rivers, Kevin Jerome Everson, Jesica Sarah Rinland, Babette Mangolte and James Benning.
A full weekend ticket starts from £22.50, while day passes start from £15. Those who aren’t able to attend in person can view a curated selection of films from this year’s programme by purchasing access to the online showcase. The films will be available to watch for one week from the start of the festival.
You can purchase tickets here
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