Canary Wharf Film Festival 2009 (CWFF 09) takes centre stage this September with an offering unlike any other festival this year. CWFF’s standout programmes include Next Generation, Nearby: East End Docks and Green Sundays which all give something back to London’s East End and are totally free!

The Next Generation Programme, with support from the Canary Wharf Group, is providing aspiring filmmakers the opportunity of a life time as part of the festival’s aim to give up and coming filmmakers a helping hand to set them on their way. CWFF have been running free filmmaking workshops - in collaboration with Chocolate Films – throughout the summer for East London students interested in learning about the filmmaking process, teaching skills from storyboarding right through to the editing process, and their final cuts will be featured at the festival.

Young filmmakers will also be given the opportunity to pitch their film idea to a panel of experts for the chance to win an invaluable training course at the Central Film School. Pitchers will receive crucial tips to equip them with the tools need to successfully pitch ideas in the future. Plus local East End boy and director of the British hit Shifty, Eran Creevy, will be talking to festival goers about his experiences in the film industry, how he climbed the film ladder and what it was like working with Asher D and brands like Nike.

The Nearby: East End Docks programme will provide a look at one of the worlds most famous industrial areas of yesteryear, paying homage to an industry which laid the foundations for London’s business quarter. The programme will take place at the Museum of London Docklands and will provide a snapshot of the Docklands and Waterways which made London a super power in the trading world.

Nearby: East End Docks will also showcase a joint collaboration between the Big Bang Lab and the Port of London Authority. Listen: A Soundtrack of Shared Memories has been developed to provide a learning exchange between communities, laying down a foundation for engagement and heritage participation. Playing on the themes of picture, sound, and memories, the group has worked together to record oral histories, understand sound editing and create a living soundtrack to silent film from the extensive PLA archive.

Green Sundays is another free offering from the CWFF showcasing the areas green credentials with a string of films, discussions and a cycling tour along East London’s Regents Canal. CWFF have delved into the archives to track down films which address issues on pollution and contamination of the Thames and turning waste into animal feed in East London.

The Green Sundays Discussion will be another highlight of the festival addressing issues around the creative industries and sustainability. The discussion is one for the diary with a panel including Ben Todd (Arcola Theatre), Clement Mariotte (Bash Creations), Sally Wilton (Lexi Cinema) and Alison Tickell & Catherine Langabeer (Julie’s Bicycle).