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Festival of the Moving Image 2025
19 May 2025–23 May 2025, 5:00 pm–5:00 pm
FOMI isn't just a festival—it's where careers begin, where lifelong collaborations form, and where the next generation of film talent first gains recognition. Don't miss this chance to witness the birth of new cinematic movements and perhaps discover the next Nolan, Bigelow, or Jenkins before they become household names.
Event Information
Open to
- All
Availability
- Yes
Organiser
-
Bloomsbury Theatre02031081000
Festival of the Moving Image 2025
Presented by UCL Film & TV Society
Before the blockbuster success of Inception, Interstellar and Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan was leading UCL's Film & TV Society.
This May, join the festival that nurtures the next generation of cinematic visionaires at the 18th annual Festival of the Moving Image (FOMI). Now expanded into a landmark week-long celebration of student and globally emerging filmmaker talent. What began as a modest student showcase, has evolved into an award winning festival, championing creativity and creating meaningful connections between emerging talent and industry leaders.
This year marks a thrilling evolution for the festival, as it has expanded to collaborate with filmmakers from different universities across the UK. Showcasing almost 100 selected films, this year's festival offers an unparalleled showcase of emerging talent. Each day features networking sessions, masterclasses with industry professionals, panel discussions and workshops designed to equip the next generation of storytellers.
This year's theme is Recollection - Bridges Between Worlds. Recollection is an investigation of cinema's unique ability to transcend time, borders and established narratives. In 2025, where global divisions seem ever more entrenched, FOMI examines how cinema serves as both mirror and window - reflecting our shared histories while offering glimpses into alternative futures.
Festival Schedule
Origins: Cinematic Beginnings
Monday 19 May.
Cruciform Lecture Theatre 1 (Opening Ceremony, Q&A and Screenings), Tottenham Court Road Lounge Bar (Building a Filmmaking Career)
- 5pm - 6pm: Festival Opening Ceremony. Join filmmakers, sponsors, and festival organizers for our grand opening.
- 6:15pm - 7:15pm: Q&A with Kevin Loader
- 7:30pm - 8:30pm: 'Campus to Camera' Screening. A showcase of outstanding UCL student debuts, extracted from the archives.
- 8:45pm: Building a Filmmaking Career. An opportunity to meet filmmakers from universities around London and network laterally.
Stories in the Making
Tuesday 20 May.
Bloomsbury Studio (Crafting Stories for the Screen), Harrie Massey Lecture Theatre. (Experimental Films, Jeremy Theobald Interview and Screening)
- 4pm - 5pm: Crafting Stories for the Screen. Learn the art of script development in this masterclass with acclaimed Script and Story Editor Jasmine Jagger. Her credits include Netflix's acclaimed Baby Reindeer, created by Richard Gadd, and the upcoming second season of The Night Manager for Amazon and the BBC, starring Tom Hiddleston.
- 5pm - 6:30pm: Experimental Films. Join us for a screening of the winning fiction films.
- 6:30pm - 7:30pm: Interviewing Jeremy Theobald. Hear from Jeremy Theobald, star and producer of Christopher Nolan’s debut Following. Discover his journey from UCL to collaborating with one of cinema’s most celebrated directors.
- 8pm - 10pm: Cinema Screening. Enjoy a screening paired with delicious snacks for a nostalgic and immersive evening
The Future is Local
Wednesday 21 May.
Bloomsbury Studio (Script to Stage), One Pool Street Cinema [UCL East] (In conversation with Jenny Beavan & Documentary Screenings), The Cow Pub (Unwind and Connect)
- 6pm - 7pm: In Conversation with Jenny Beavan. Join us for an intimate conversation with multi-Academy Award-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan. Credits include Max Max: Fury Road, Cruella, A Room with a View and others. She will discuss her creative process, the role of costume in character building and storytelling, and share insights from her career in film.
- 7:15pm - 8pm: 'Lens on Reality' Documentary Screenings. A curated selection of thought-provoking documentaries. These documentaries dive deep.
- 8:45pm: Unwind and Connect. Join us for drinks and networking.
Tech, Talent and Tomorrow
Thursday 22 May.
XLG2 Auditorium, Christopher Ingold Building (All sessions)
- 5pm - 6pm: Q&A with Eddie Hamilton. Building precision-driven work on blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick, the Mission: Impossible series and Kingsman.
- 6:15pm - 7:15pm: Imperfect Humans vs. Perfect Machines: Who Owns Cinema’s Future? A Debate on AI in Film – A fiery panel on hot topics. What's the closest human artistry can be replicated? Who owns AI-generated content? Does democratization = creative homogenization?
- 7:30pm - 8:30pm: 'Beyond Pixels' Animations Screenings. A curated mix of groundbreaking shorts from emerging filmmakers.
Celebrations and Connections
Friday 23 May.
Cruciform Lecture Theatre 1 (Screening, Masterclass, Career Development and Awards Ceremony), Shuffleboard Bar (Networking and Closing Event)
- 4pm - 5pm: Screening: Come and see the winning 'Fiction Shorts' film.
- 5pm - 6pm: Cinematography Masterclass: Learn how Emmy Ren has balanced practical lighting, vintage lenses, and summer’s short nights to create haunting visuals for her NFTS showcase film.
- 6pm - 7pm: Industry Networking
- 7:30pm - 8:30pm: Awards Ceremony: This ceremony honours the best of FOMI 2025. Recent graduates who've found industry success will share their journeys.
- 9pm: Festival Afterparty: Wrap up the festival with drinks, live music, free bagels and wine. Expect to connect with industry partners and winning filmmakers.