About Us
Originally developed as a boutique, industry-focused event, the festival has grown into a respected cultural platform combining curated cinema, professional exchange, and public engagement.
True Spark is a curated programme of inspirational and uplifting independent films presented as part of the London Rolling Film Festival. The programme was launched in 2025 in response to a noticeable lack of hopeful, life-affirming cinema during a period marked by economic precarity, rising mental health challenges, and global instability.
The London Rolling Film Festival is known for its intimate atmosphere and unique formula requiring filmmakers to attend in person. Its mission is to Connect, Inspire, Support, captured in its motto: Stay Focused and Keep Rolling.
Our Team: The Heart of the Festival
Discover the dedicated individuals who bring the London Rolling Film Festival to life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.
Alida Pantone
Festival Director
Audrey Chen
Programming Director
Originally from Hong Kong, Audrey brings over three years of experience coordinating and curating film festivals and cultural events at the Hong Kong Arts Centre and across independent community spaces. She first joined the festival as a volunteer in 2025 and now steps into a leading role within the programming team, supporting film selection, curation, and screening operations. Currently based in the UK, she is a student at the Royal College of Art.
Mariana Nechaieva
Marketing & Communications Manager
Mariana is a Ukrainian filmmaker and published author returning for her second year with the London Rolling Film Festival as Marketing & Communications Manager. With a passion for storytelling, she leads content creation across our channels, overseeing video, editing, and social media, while supporting marketing strategy and campaigns.
Viktoria Kiss
Red Carpet Coordinator
Viktoria is a British actress and a core member of the London Rolling Film Festival team. With a strong passion for independent cinema, she brings experience and energy to the event, coordinating the red carpet and supporting volunteer coordination across the festival.
Past Editions
15th Edition
Sep 5-6-7, 2025
11th Edition
19 - 21 Feb 2021
7th Edition
Oct 30, 2016
3rd Edition
March 3, 2015
14th Edition
Sep 27-29, 2024
10th Edition
Feb 7, 2020
6th Edition
May 1, 2016
2nd Edition
Oct 23, 2014
13th Edition
Aug 13, 2023
9th Edition
May 27, 2018
5th Edition
Nov 5, 2015
1st Edition
Aug 28, 2014
12th Edition
Aug 14, 2022
8th Edition
Sep 10, 2017
4th Edition
May 11, 2015
In Memoriam
We would like to take a moment to remember friends who helped shape this festival and who will always stay in our hearts.
They are a big part of why we believe in recognising and celebrating people while they are still with us.
AJ McAndrews
Director
A passionate filmmaker and director at Blond Productions, AJ was the first to truly believe in the festival, supporting us at a pivotal early stage. She brought kindness, curiosity, and a deep love for storytelling, always embracing the spirit of film festivals and the joy of creating.
Joe Alvarez
Celebrity Photographer
A dear friend and early supporter of the festival, he believed in it from the very beginning. A true creative with a great sense of fun, he brought energy, encouragement, and joy to those around him, leaving a lasting mark on all who knew him.
Pietro Coccia
Red Carpet Photographer
A familiar presence across major festivals, whose kindness and genuine love for his work made a difference to many, especially those taking their first steps.
Kimberley Marren
Actress
A valued presence in the industry, whose name lives on through the Kimberley Marren Recognition Award, which celebrates those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and rarely receive the recognition they deserve.