The inaugural London International Fantastic Film Festival (LIFFF) launched in spectacular style on November 26th at 6:30 PM at BLOC Cinema. The evening kicked off with the highly anticipated screening of The Killer Goldfish, featuring special guests Yukihiko Tsutsumi (director), Erika Oka (lead actress), and Takeshi Moriya (producer), who took to the stage after the film for an engaging and memorable Q&A session.

Director Tsutsumi set a lighthearted tone for the Q&A with a playful introduction in English spoken with the aid of a cardboard cutout puppet of his own face that had the whole audience laughing. Over the course of the hour-long session, The Killer Goldfish team shared fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film and fielded enthusiastic questions from the audience. The lively exchange fostered a deeper dialogue between filmmakers and audience, reflected by the production approach to the film itself.

The celebration continued with a vibrant reception at BLOC’s White Box, where attendees mingled with the filmmakers and shared their thoughts. Adding to the evening’s creative atmosphere, artist Urte Luciunaite, designer of the LIFFF main logo, unveiled a pop-up installation titled Magick Drawings for Eight Sisters. The reception provided a perfect setting for further interactions, with many attendees snapping photos and engaging with Director Tsutsumi.

Audience feedback underscored the success of the evening. Attendees described the event as “an unforgettable experience,” with praise given towards the Q&A session as “incredibly insightful” and “a rare opportunity.” One attendee shared, “It’s wonderful and important to see artists connecting and fostering communication. I promise to attend every year.”

Producer Takeshi Moriya of The Killer Goldfish remarked, “We will definitely come back again,” while Matsumoto from the film’s team added, “The audience’s reactions were fantastic!”

Festival director Kanako Fujita reflected on the evening’s significance, saying, “This was a very important screening for us, as it marked the very first screening of our inaugural festival. I am so happy that so many people joined us to witness this historic moment together. It was incredible to see the interaction and communication between the audience and filmmakers—this is exactly what we aimed to create. I am deeply grateful to the staff, audience members, and filmmakers who participated. We still have three more days of screenings ahead, and we will do our best to conclude the festival on a high note.”

The festival runs through December 1st, featuring an exciting lineup of screenings, Q&A sessions, and events. Stay tuned as LIFFF 2024 continues to celebrate the best in genre cinema with unforgettable moments for audiences and filmmakers alike!