SohoLIFF 2025

We were thrilled to have the esteemed Justin Chadwick, an award-winning British television and film director, join us at this year’s (2025) SohoLIFF festival for an intimate Soho Spotlight on his own creative journey.

He has most recently directed Tulip Fever, a feature film adapted by Sir Tom Stoppard, starring Christoph Waltz, Dane DeHaan and Judi Dench and is currently the lead director of Shardlake, based on CJ Sansom’s bestselling novels, for Disney+.

You may know him for any number of the roster of films and actors he’s worked on and with: The First Grader, The Other Boleyn Girl, Bleak House, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom with the likes of Tom Stoppard, Dame Judi Dench, Kiefer Sutherland, Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, to name just a smidge.

But in joining us he shared how his journey began, the significance of a simple message of communication, the importance of being friends and family with your cast, the evolution that’s a-coming…

Oh, and how his very first short film festival led to him meeting his hero.

You just never know.

Watch the full interview and other Soho Spotlights here.

Huge congratulations to the team behind comedy-drama short film Mafia!!!

Not only did it win the Audience Choice Award vote, but the film also got a special mention at this year’s SohoLIFF 2025 award ceremony, just one of the films the judges felt needed that extra nod.

And as winners, they will get to see their film promoted on Clear Channel’s huge digital boards across London later this month.

If you spot them make sure that you give the team a nod, and share on their socials and ours.

Check out all festival winners here.

We are thrilled to announce a new addition to the SohoLIFF judging panel.

Michelle Collins joins our group of rather special SohoLIFF judges and this year is tasked with deciding which of the 54 amazing film submissions will get a coveted SohoLIFF award in January 2025.

Many will know Michelle as a well-loved actress and familiar face of UK TV, having traversed the streets of Albert Square in her earlier (and more recent) actress years as EastEnders’ soap screen siren Cindy Beale.  More recently she’s producing for her own production company, while continuing to star in many roles too.

Last year she starred in The Long Walk, winner of our SohoLIFF Audience Choice Award, voted for by the public, as well as joining our esteemed festival pitching panel with her producer’s hat on to share some valuable experience and insights with our filmmakers.

This January we’ll see her again, but for now join Liz and the SohoLIFF team in officially welcoming Michelle to the family for SohoLIFF 2025!