Lose yourself in the magic of the big screen – at no extra cost
By Lara Peters
London has been blessed with beautiful summer weather early this year – and what better way to spend a sunny day than at an outdoor cinema? Now a popular phenomenon and staple of a Londoner’s summer routine, you probably won’t find one quite like the outdoor screen at the East End Film Festival – and you certainly won’t find one that’s as good for your budget.
The festival has taken over multiple much-loved venues in East London for its 17th annual run this year, but for its closing weekend it takes up residence in the iconic Old Spitalfields Market to bring you two days of films and events that won’t cost a thing. Last year’s was a big success, and this year the events on offer range from Stories Of A City, a collection of short films about the chaos and wonder of living a life amongst it all in London (something we can certainly all relate to), to the Kids! Screening and Workshop where you can bring along your little one at no cost to enjoy four handpicked short films, enter a Lego building competition, and get inspired to make animations of their own inside a giant zoetrope!
The Wizard of Oz
The jewel in the crown of the festival’s Spitalfields takeover is their Films For Food event. Films for Food is a charity set up by East London film collective The Rainbow Collective, in order to support the local Tower Hamlets Foodbank. It’s simple – all their screenings are free, with the price of entry being a donation of non-perishable food. EEFF has taken them with them to Spitalfields for a screening of beloved fairytale The Wizard of Oz. Bring along some canned goods, grab a seat, and enjoy a classic piece of golden age cinema. The festival’s also showing last year’s dreamy Oscar-winner Call Me By Your Name on their outdoor screen – and although this one does charge a fee, consider it a treat after all the charitable giving you’ll be doing over the weekend. There’s much to be explored at EEFF and their Spitalfields takeover will be sure to keep all ages entertained and lost in the magic of the big screen.
What: East End Film Festival
When: 27 & 28 April 2018
Where: Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW, United Kingdom
Cost: Free
