The London Short Film Festival takes place across three separate venues from the 10th to the 18th of January. The festival has grown out of the original Halloween Short Film Club, a smaller film festival founded by Festival Director, Philip Ilson in 1994. The festival is known for showcasing raw talent from all over the UK and marks a significant date in the national film calendar. In 2013, there were over 7,000 tickets sold to 300 films across ten days. Here we round up the three venues, and our favourite London serviced apartments nearby.
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is one of the three venues hosting events during the film festival. Just a short distance from Charing Cross, this venue is located in the very centre of London. The ICA was founded in 1946 by a group of artists, collectors and critics and today is at the ‘forefront of cultural experimentation’. Artists who’ve recently exhibited their work at the ICA include Damien Hurst, Steve McQueen and Richard Prince.
Close to the venue is Haymarket Townhouse, a serviced accommodation provider represented by SilverDoor. These apartments are ideal for holiday or business travel. With Charing Cross nearby you have quick and easy connections to the rest of the city and the other film festival venues. Haymarket Townhouse is available as two, three or four bedroom apartments.
Hackney Picturehouse
Hackney Picturehouse is the second venue of the London Short Film Festival and is far from being your usual local cinema. The bar/café on the ground floor is a destination in itself which always has a lively atmosphere and the Hackney Attic, on the top floor, hosts quiz nights, open mic nights and other live events.
Patriot Apartments are situated in Bethnal Green close to the Hackney Picturehouse. The studio, one and two bedroom apartments all feature double bedrooms with en suite shower rooms, kitchens and living/dining areas. There’s also an on-site swimming pool and fitness centre to help compensate for all the popcorn consumed at the film festival!
Oval Space
The Oval Space is a large venue and boasts over 6,000 square feet of uninterrupted space. Situated close to Liverpool Street Station, the Oval Space is usually used as a large theatre room or as a conference meeting room so is perfect for the film festival’s networking events and guest speakers.
A short distance away from the venue is the corporate accommodation, Avant Garde Apartments. These modern apartments are available as studio, one or two bedroom apartments. The studios have kitchenettes whilst the larger apartments have fully fitted kitchens. These apartments all have access to individual, private balconies.
