Three years ago, I was approached by one of the Festival directors to join the judging panel for the Earl’s Court Film Festival, and I felt honoured to be part of it. The event was in Soho, at the Soho Theatre, and I was asked to be asked to judge as I had produced a film of my own called the Battle of Soho – a film about the gentrification of Soho and the negative impact that is having on the LGBT community and its Drag Queen sub-culture. I remain a judget to this day. Last year was very different because we could only watch the Festival’s films at home – with voting done remotely done. This year, I am very much looking forward to getting back to live events in great venues in Earl’s Court and Soho again. A cinema is a place to celebrate film, and by being together we bring films alive. I have made ten short films myself, and I love the format . You have people’s undivided attention, and you need to make every second matter.
- In November 2014 the Iconic club Madame Jojos closed its doors. This event being interpreted by many as the death knell of Soho.The gentrification of Soho affects the LGBT community and its Drag Queen sub-culture, but the cabaret atmosphere of the entire neighborhood in enormous ways. This active pursuit to destroy a bubbling and vibrant part of the city’s heart is viewed by many as an atrocity akin to turning the lights off on Broadway. Over 3rd of London’s music venues have been closed in recent years and no one noticed. An active movement to bring a halt to this disaster has begun to unfold with one organization after another emerging to fight for Soho. Organizations made up of citizens and celebrities have sprung up to combat this onslaught. Will they win this battle and save Soho?
