Behind the Scenes at the BFI London Film Festival

Last month, Way to Blue partnered with the BFI to support and deliver all red carpet social media event coverage for each film at the festival. Way to Blue had a team of 12 and worked a total of 284 hours to achieve success.

Lights, Camera, Action! Behind the Scenes at the London Film Festival

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be behind the scenes at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, buckle up! As a member of the dynamic team at Way To Blue, I had the incredible opportunity to dive headfirst into the cinematic spectacle that unfolded at this year’s London Film Festival. From rubbing shoulders with A-listers to navigating rain-soaked red carpets, it's been a whirlwind of lights, cameras and, of course, plenty of action.

Wednesday 4th: Opening Night

The curtain rose at the opening night screening of Saltburn where I was armed and ready for interviews on the media line. Whilst I was firing away questions at the incredible talent gracing the red carpet, another team member was weaving through the carpet capturing all the night’s glitz and glamour for our design team to turn into stunning social-first content. I had the pleasure of chatting with the delightful director Emerald Fennell and even got the inside scoop from the visionary minds behind the festival, BFI CEO Ben Roberts and Festival Director Kirsty Matheson. The crew couldn't contain their enthusiasm about showcasing their work at LFF, and the air was electric with the promise of a cinematic feast ahead.

Saturday 7th: A Brush with Greatness

Fast forward to Saturday for the Killers of the Flower Moon Gala, where things got seriously star-studded. I spent the evening roaming the carpet, getting up close and personal with the film’s talented cast and crew. Behind the media line, our team had the once-in-a-lifetime honour of interviewing cinema legend Martin Scorsese, but here's the catch - he was only allowed to answer one question per four media outlets! Nevertheless, our creative team worked their magic, turning one question into a central component of a captivating long-form video. A challenge? Absolutely. Worth it? Undoubtedly.

Sunday 8th: Unveiling the Mystery

Sunday’s events brought a super buzzy atmosphere to the Festival as we eagerly awaited this year’s highly anticipated surprise film. We had two crews, so double the excitement - one team tackling talent interviews, the other capturing vox-pop style content from attendees predicting the mystery film outside the screening room. Michael Mann himself took the stage to drop the mic and announce Ferrari as the surprise film, to which the audience erupted with applause. The thrill of surprises and the magic of cinema collided in spectacular fashion.

Wednesday 11th: Premieres, DJs, and Soggy Carpets

The World Premiere of The Book Of Clarence was nothing short of a spectacle, with a live DJ and an enthusiastic host creating a vibrant atmosphere on the carpet - the energy was contagious. Our team once again worked their magic, capturing interviews on the media line as I roamed the carpet for those candid moments. 

The weather, which had been on our side throughout the festival, decided to take a turn that evening, meaning heavy rain and a water-logged red carpet became unexpected challenges. But nothing could dampen our spirits! We hustled back to the carpet for The Holdovers, braving the rain for a Gala in partnership with Cunard. Our team persevered, showcasing the resilience and dedication that defines the world of premieres. Spoiler alert: soggy red carpets can't stop us from delivering great content!

Thursday 12th: One Life, One Remarkable Story

When it comes to the array of events we covered at the LFF, none left our team more profoundly moved than the premiere of One Life - a documentary that beautifully captures the extraordinary humanitarian efforts of Nicholas Winton who courageously saved hundreds of children on the brink of World War II. Positioned on the carpet, we witnessed an event that stood out not just in duration (lasting an impressive 1 hour and 30 minutes), but in its emotional impact. The screening brought together the families of the survivors, known as Kinder Descendants, and some of the crew from the iconic 1988 programme That’s Life, where Winton was first reunited with those he had rescued. 

As the lights dimmed and the film unfolded, the silence in the room was soon replaced by the sound of sniffles and sobs. The climax came when all those indebted to Winton for their lives were asked to stand. The room erupted in heartfelt applause, a resounding tribute to the man whose legacy touched the lives of so many.

Saturday 14th: Chickens, Flowers, and Paloma Faith

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget brought joy with a twist – this premiere dared to be different, rolling out a vibrant green carpet adorned with beautiful flowers, trees, and miniature chicken figurines. To add to the excitement, Paloma Faith made a surprise appearance, prompting us to think on our feet to come up with some impromptu questions fit for a star.

We then seamlessly transitioned to the gala screening of Poor Things, where the atmosphere took on a more sophisticated tone. Despite having access to a lineup of brilliant individuals including luminaries Yorgos Lanthimos and Tony McNamara, we had to navigate the challenge of only getting a few words out of a crew of many talents. Undeterred, our strategy involved posing numerous questions to ensure we captured an abundance of quality content for our creative team to transform into a stunning event sizzle reel.

Sunday 15th: The Grand Finale

The final curtain fell with The Kitchen, marking the grand finale of the London Film Festival. A flurry of talent, spectacular entrances via motorbike, and another live DJ encapsulated the energetic atmosphere. With the pressure on, we delivered content that mirrored the grandeur and infectious energy of the closing night, wrapping up an unforgettable time at the London Film Festival.

And just like that, our London Film Festival journey came to an end. It was a rollercoaster of emotions with each day bringing new challenges, unexpected surprises, and unforgettable moments. Until next year, LFF! 🎬✨