Research and policymaking symposium to be held Oct 26.

The 55th BFI London Film Festival has announced several new industry initiatives at this year’s event.

They include a one-day, invitation-only symposium on Oct 26 about research and policymaking for film; and a new collaboration with online industry platform Festival Scope.

Also, the LFF will work with the British Council Film Department to invite more key overseas festival programmers to view the latest UK films during the festival.

The industry programme is for the first year backed by the Mayor of London.

The festival will also again offer the Film London Production Finance Market; the Power To The Pixel Cross-Media Forum; the Film Festivals Forum; the mentoring/workshops week Think-Shoot-Distribute; and four days of industry screenings (with a meet the buyer session).

There will also be a casting symposium; a discussion about European cultural diversity in film and how the UK fits into that; and a panel about the future of 3D (the latter is sponsored by Screen International).

This is the first LFF to run since the BFI took over as the UK’s lead body for film.

CEO of the BFI, Amanda Nevill said: “The BFI is committed to creating an environment for British film in which talent and skills can thrive. The industry offer is one of the cornerstones of the BFI London Film Festival; bringing together international filmmakers and industry professionals to showcase work, share inspirations, meet audiences and seek out new opportunities. We thank all our industry partners for their continued collaboration and especially the Mayor of London whose financial support recognises the significant economic and cultural contribution film makes to our capital city.”

This year’s keynote speaker will be announced next week.