who we are and why CITY LIGHTS is different
City Lights Film Festival is not your typical film festival — and it never has been.
Our story began in 2010 with a simple but powerful idea: create a welcoming, meaningful space where filmmakers and actors could genuinely connect. That idea became The UK Actors Tweetup, a monthly networking event that grew from the already successful LA Actors Tweetup, and later spread to New York, Ireland and Birmingham (some of these groups are still going).
More than a decade later, that same ethos drives everything we do.
Today, City Lights Film Festival and our City Nights networking events exist for one core purpose: to spotlight, support, and champion emerging filmmakers — before, during, and long after their time at the festival. We don’t just screen films; we help filmmakers build relationships, develop their craft, and take tangible steps forward in their careers.
A Festival Built on Community, Not Competition
The UK Actors Tweetup remains a cornerstone of our identity, continuing to engage thousands of creatives through live events, social media, and email since its launch in 2010. Our film festival arm — formerly TweetFest Film Festival — has been welcoming live audiences in London since 2015, beginning at the iconic Hackney Picturehouse and expanding to some of the city’s most respected independent venues.
City Lights is proudly female-led and passionately dedicated to discovering and nurturing new voices in film. We actively support filmmakers well beyond the festival circuit, creating opportunities for long-term growth rather than one-off exposure.
Industry Voices That Matter
Each year, our films are judged by an ever-evolving VIP jury made up of respected industry professionals. Past panellists and judges have included casting directors Gemma Sykes and Shakyra Dowling; award-winning directors Laura Smith, Jesse Quinones, Simon Blake (Still), and the Blaine Brothers (Nina Forever); BAFTA-nominated producer Alex Moody; Hat Trick Productions’ development team; casting director Manuel Puro (Moon, The Machine); producer Jessie Mangum (Goalpost); Emilie Wren (London Film Festival); and Alberto Lopez, International Director at Variety, among many others.
Our gala screenings and events have taken place at outstanding venues such as Finsbury Park Picturehouse, Hackney Picturehouse, the ArtHouse Cinema, Screen on the Green, and the Hen and Chickens Theatre — providing filmmakers with a truly professional platform to showcase their work.
A female-led film festival passionately championing emerging and undiscovered talent from the UK, City Lights actively helps filmmakers to grow in their careers long after they’ve left the festival.
More Than Screenings
Alongside our main programme, City Lights (as TweetFest) has hosted MiniFest, F-Rated Shorts screenings, filmmaker panels, industry Q&As, and networking events designed to give filmmakers real access to decision-makers — not just a seat in the audience.
City Lights Film Festival is proud to be:
- BIFA-qualifying
- An official festival listed on IMDb
- A founding member of the AIFF
- A member of Film Hub London
At City Lights, we believe short films deserve serious attention — and the filmmakers behind them deserve lasting support. That’s what makes us different.
And behind every good film festival are the people and sponsors who put it all together. Meet our team...
ANGELA PETERS
co-founder & director – Festival producer
Angela is the founder of the UK Actors Tweetups, as well as B.A.B.E. for actors. A backstage writer for years, Angela is also an international actress who has acted in many cinema and festival-screened feature films, television and shorts, with credits on ITV, BBC, Netflix, Prime, Sky, iTunes and more. And when she isn’t hosting the UK Actors Tweetup, she’s usually in a studio voicing some job or another for TV, audiobooks, film and commercials.
Twitter: @angiepang
ANDREA FARRENA
PATRON & co-founder
Andrea worked internationally as a producer, as well as running a talent management company, Farrena Films Mgmt, where she represents actors, directors and producers. Andrea believes that networking is the key to success in this industry, hence why she joined the Tweetup team back in 2012. Andrea is currently producing a Creative England short film and has many more features and shorts in the pipeline.
Twitter: @AndreaFarrena
CHRYSSANTHI KOURI
Festival programmer (up to 2024)
Chryssanthi Kouri is a director and writer, with a film and theatre background, and works internationally. She has written and directed six short narrative films and has directed over 12 short & long plays at London’s Off-West End stages. She also works as a Director/Producer for broadcast TV. Her latest short film “Dustlight” is screened at festivals worldwide and has received the Best Cinematography in a Short Film Award at the Woods Hole Film Festival in Massachusetts, USA. Along with several short and feature scripts, Chryssanthi is currently developing her first TV series, a female ensemble, black comedy-drama set in austerity Athens. The project has recently been optioned by an independent Greek production company for further development. She is a BAFTA Connect and a Directors UK member.
Instagram: @chryskouri
SHAKYRA DOWLING
patron + VIP JURY member
Casting Director Shakyra Downing continues to be one of the long-standing patrons of TweetFest. Shakyra is a passionate advocate for diversity in all aspects of casting and is always on the lookout for new talent and excited to work on fresh creative ideas with both promising new filmmakers and established directors. A fierce champion of new and emerging talent, SDC has carved out a niche specialising in independent British feature films and European co-productions alongside television and commercials – many of which have been internationally recognised and gone on to be nominated for multiple awards including BAFTAs and BIFAs, and at festivals from Sundance to TIFF.
ZARA DAY
HOST
Zara is a writer and actress who resides in London. She is represented by Core Management for acting, and Independent Talent Group for writing and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance Studies and English Literature from The University of Sydney in Australia, The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Kings College London in the UK.
Twitter: @zarasymes
MEL RADLOFF
liaison and host
Mel has been working alongside the Tweetup team for many years now, helping and hosting monthly events. Mel is a multilingual actress, presenter and keen cinephile. Mel is also one of the hosts for TweetFest each year.
Twitter: @Melanie_Radloff
SAM FOURNESS
TECHNICIAN and tech genius
Sam Fourness is a London-based actor and filmmaker, who has worked in films, television and commercials. Over the years when he isn’t busy acting, he has helped ensure that the festival runs smoothly with his incredible technical background in editing.
STEVE HARCOURT
resident judge and liaison
Steve is one-half of Free Seed Films and is in production on a feature documentary. He is also an avid film reviewer for many well-known festivals and publications. As a filmmaker, he makes short films, adverts and music videos, and co-produces his successful weekly radio show, ‘Free Seed on Soho Radio’, as well as co-hosting the monthly film show ‘Screen to Screen’ with Liz McMullen. A man of many talents, he is a musician/composer, and is a founder (and existing!) member of Collapsed Lung, known for their Top 20 hit, ‘Eat My Goal’.
PATRYCJA DYNOWSKA
VOLUNTEER
Our fantastic volunteer Patrycja who is a busy working tv, film and theatre actor.
More: Patrycja Dynowska
EMILY LEE
host
The brilliant Emily Lee has been a festival volunteer at multiple events and is also a busy actress and voice coach. Emily now helps run the live festival each year.
More: Emily Lee
LIZ HAMMOND
liaison & judge
In previous years Liz has gone above and beyond to help with sponsorship and judging for the festival.
Find Elizabeth on Spotlight
MICHELLE ZAHNER
LIAISON
Michelle has been a brilliant support in all things partnerships and judging.
Find Michelle on Twitter
HOST
In previous years actress and voiceover artist Liz was one of our hosts and has been a part of TweetFest and Tweetups since the beginning.
Find Liz on Twitter
ROB ABERCROMBIE
Camera operator and video editor
Rob has worked in corporate, branded and charity video for over two years with experience in short films. He’s passionate about all things film, and enjoys capturing professional-looking images and edits with an eye for creative detail and storytelling.
Photographers we have worked with
ISAAC PERAL PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHER
Isaac Peral has been photographing actors and our TweetFest galas for a long time. If you want to see more of his work at our event, just click on our gala page.
Twitter: Isaac Peral
PHOTOGRAPHER
Stephen recently joined the TweetFest honour boards as on of our guest photographers for various events.
See more of Stephen Young’s work.
JOHN STEVEN MARTINEZ
PHOTOGRAPHER
John joined us as a guest photographer for the first time in 2023 and it is wonderful to have his expertise at our events.
See more of John Steven Martinez‘s work.
“TweetFest dazzled the audience with its 7th year event at the ArtHouse Cinema.“
Fab UK Magazine
City Lights Film Festival 