Harvey Weinstein to Deliver Industry Keynote at BFI London Film Festival

LONDON – Harvey Weinstein is to deliver this year's industry keynote during the 56th BFI London Film Festival.

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The producer will share his "insights and anecdotes from his career" Oct. 11 during the U.K.'s largest film festival as part of the organizers' industry program.

Weinstein has established links in the U.K. and is a fellow of the British Film Institute, the highest accolade the organization bestows.

Securing Weinstein for the industry keynote is a big plus for BFI head of exhibition and BFI London Film Festival director Clare Stewart and her team who is overseeing the event for the first time since been appointed to the newly-created position with the British Film Institute.

Weinstein said: "Year after year the festival maintains such a high level of films and filmmakers, and I am really excited to see what the BFI and Clare Stewart are putting together for this year.”

The address, supported by the government-backed training body Creative Skillset, is one of the highlights for this year's industry program.

Also scheduled is a an ‘In Conversation’ event with British director Roger Michell, whose Hyde Park on Hudson is scheduled for a gala screening during the festival.

And there will be a slew of panel discussions and debates including an examination of the challenges and opportunities brought by new digital platforms, their impacts on theatrical windows and what this may mean for Europe’s cinemas.

The Hollywood Reporter is also hosting a Q&A session with key BFI executives managing the organization's movie production and development funds during the festival.

Stewart described the industry program as "central to the festival offer, providing real support for the breadth and vitality of the UK film business and tangible opportunities for international colleagues to engage with the U.K. in smart and inventive ways."

The BFI London Film Festival’s Industry Office is supported by the Mayor of London and Film London.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "One of the most exciting showcases of cinema anywhere, the festival also puts the spotlight on an important industry, which supports over 117,000 jobs and delivers billions of pounds for our economy. I am proud we are backing a rich and varied programme that also focuses on business and talent development."

The festival opens Oct. 10 with Tim Burton's Frankenweenie and closes Oct. 21 with Mike Newell's Great Expectations.