Swedenborg Film Festival

2021 Judge: Samson Kambalu The Swedenborg Film Festival 2021 (SFF2021) invites entries of new films of 20 minutes or less from emerging and established independent filmmakers. Now a landmark event in the UK film calendar, the SFF has received a huge response from thousands of filmmakers around the world and has gained a reputation for the quality and diversity of its programming. In an expanded award format, prizes will be presented in four categories: best documentary; best experimental; best animation; and best film. There will also be a special 'public vote' award. Shortlisted films will be shown alongside invited screenings from established filmmakers. The SFF supports all genres and encourages submissions that draw upon the diverse and radical traditions influenced by Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772). Artists, writers and filmmakers influenced by Swedenborg include William Blake, Charles Baudelaire, Hilma af Klint, Jorge Luis Borges, Ingmar Bergman and many others. Films featured previously in the SFF have explored ideas of transcendence and symbolism, and themes have ranged from social reform to psychogeography. Shortlisted films for SFF2021 will be screened during a live event in our atmospheric neo-classical Hall on Saturday 11 December 2021, where winners will be selected and announced by our guest judge Samson Kambalu. In addition to this the films will be available to watch online between Friday 4 December until 10 December 2021, and open to a public vote. Former judges include: 2020: Melanie Manchot and John Smith 2019: Chloe Aridjis 2018: Susan Hiller 2017: Ali Smith 2016: Andrew Kötting 2015: Bridget Smith 2014: Peter Fillingham, Nora Foster and Sukhdev Sandhu 2013: Lech Majewski 2012: Gareth Evan and Jeremy Millar 2011: Rosie Cooper and Ian Hunt 2010: Nora Foster and Stephen McNeilly Swedenborg House is a fully inclusive not-for-profit publishing house, museum and cultural venue based in Bloomsbury, London. It hosts a diverse and lively programme of events. Featured speakers and artists have included Simon Armitage, A S Byatt, Brian Catling, Jeremy Deller, Deborah Levy, Iain Sinclair, Marina Warner and many others. “. . . a centre for the discussion of ideas, particularly the interface between the arts, philosophy and ethics - all trying to get to the heart of the human condition, and our place in the world.” Ken Worpole, writer and social historian on Swedenborg House, 2021. Information about previous film festivals and Emanuel Swedenborg can be found by following the website link given above.