How do critics communicate with audiences? Is film criticism now a brand, existing to be monetised or an art form in its own right? In what will be a fascinating discussion, LUMI programmers Sean Hughes and Michael McConway will grill Helen and Leila on the current state of film criticism in the UK, looking at the different forms criticism can take and the challenges they face.

Helen O’Hara has been working as a film journalist for nearly two decades, after qualifying as a barrister and immediately getting bored. She started her film writing career on the staff of Empire, the world’s biggest film magazine, and remains their editor-at-large and co-host of the Empire podcast, where she can be found weekly singing the praises of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and complaining about La La Land. She is also an author, most recently of Women Vs Hollywood: The Fall And Rise Of Women In Film, and freelance writer. Northern Irish born, O’Hara now lives in London, splitting her time between cinemas, libraries and coffee shops when Covid permits.

Leila Latif is a writer and broadcaster who regularly contributes to Little White Lies, Sight & Sound, Total Film, The A.V. Club, Radio 4 and The BBC World Service. She has appeared in front for The Guardian, Frieze, BBC Culture, BAFTA and many more. She has hosted events for The BFI and Curzon and made two episodes of Inside Cinema exploring the work of Ousmane Sembène and representations of pregnancy in cinema. She is also member of the London Critics’ Circle and part of The Final Girls film collective that explores in the intersection of feminism and horror cinema.

This online event is free to attend and open exclusively to LUMI members. No tickets will show if you have not logged into your LUMI account. Not joined LUMI yet? It's quick and most importantly free. If you're 26 or under, sign up now.

You will receive a link to the event on Thurs 27 Jan via email.