LOCO is the London Comedy Film Festival and this year coming it is spread over four days. Arriving in London on the most miserable week of the year, 23 - 26 January hopefully the films, panel discussions and workshops will give you something to smile about.
If I'm honest I hadn't been exposed to LOCO before and was a little unsure of what they would be offering the general public in January when the festival swings into town. I was invited to the launch night where things were to become more clear. By the end of the evening I was pretty blown away by all of the things they have planned.
LOCO as it turns out is way more that just screening some films in a gallery or even an independent cinema. In January they will be ''across the capital (BFI Southbank, Hackney Picturehouse, Ritzy Picturehouse, Greenwich Picturehouse, Institut Français, the Lexi Cinema and more).''
That is not to mention the commissioned photography exhibition, comedy career courses, school of slapstick, panel discussions and more still. The main draw of the festival is a film called 'Benny & Jolene' which is to make its world premiere on the 24th. ''The film stars Craig Roberts (Submarine, The Double) and Charlotte Ritchie (Fresh Meat) as an indie folk duo trying to balance credibility with commerce, and just possibly falling in love along the way. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Jamie Adams, producer Jon Rennie and lead actress, Charlotte Ritchie.''
I've only seen this trailer but it looks great and a perfect headline film for the festival:
What I like about the look of LOCO and the films they will be showing is a great mix of not just straight up comedy turns but also serious quite dark humored films. There are lots of things to be getting involved in. Too much to mention here so go to their site to have a real dig through: http://locofilmfestival.com/ Tickets would make a pretty fine Christmas present if I may say! (HINT HINT!)