In a fast-changing industry where talent alone is rarely enough, filmmaker Arnaldo Stafa explores the missing piece most filmmakers overlook: the business of storytelling.
In this talk, Arnaldo shares the strategies behind building momentum as a filmmaker, from positioning your film as a brand to using marketing, publicity, and community to turn small projects into big opportunities. Drawing from the real journey behind his slate of films and the growth of Aki Studio London had had in such a small timeframe, where most production companies are struggling, why is Aki winning?
This session reveals how filmmakers can move beyond simply making films to building careers and building their own foundations to be their own bosses. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned creator, this talk offers practical insights into how storytelling and marketing work together to make films truly succeed. We will explore the different marketing methods you can use to stand out and how to leverage your projects into bigger projects.
About the festival:
The London Independent Film Festival (LIFF) is devoted to the advancement of first- and second-time filmmakers telling amazing stories with limited budgets. Hosted every spring at the Genesis cinema – repeatedly voted the best cinema in the UK – the 2026 London Independent Film Festival will screen the work of almost 100 filmmakers from around the world. Stretching over 10 days with numerous industry events, LIFF offers an unmissable opportunity for networking and building collaborations for future projects. It's little wonder that Time Out Magazine has called LIFF "a treasure trove of undiscovered cinematic gems, one of Europe's top indie film fests". With a reputable support system for emerging filmmakers, LIFF includes popular training programs run by industry professionals who understand the ins and outs of moving a filmmaker's career to the next level.
