Film London yesterday rounded up a successful trip to the Cannes Film Festival which has seen the agency championing creative and cost-effective film-making, sealing new partnerships and strengthening links with Europe and the US.

Last night, Film London marked its presence at the world’s biggest film festival with a reception attended by the UK and international film industry. Held in partnership with Screen International, the UK Film Council and Technicolor guests at the event included Juliette Binoche and Andy Serkis.

Film London hosted a series of other events in Cannes for film-makers and producers. A session about the Film London Production Finance Market (PFM) and the challenges of accessing film finance was held on Monday 17 May. Attendees heard about the marketplace and opportunities for independent producers from top film financier Heather Mansfield, prominent sales agent Hilary Davis and veteran producer and Chair of Film London Sandy Lieberson. The session also saw producers pitching to the panel and receiving practical feedback offering an excellent teaching experience for both the participants and the large audience. The event also marked the PFM announcement made at Cannes confirming the dates of this year’s Market, additional funding secured for the event and the call for applications.

Film London also announced details of the London UK Film Focus (LUFF) at Cannes revealing the first confirmed titles for its 2010 run in June-July. This year’s LUFF is opening up to applicants from outside the UK representing a British film as well as UK sales agents introducing foreign projects.

Micro-budget film-making was a topic of another well attended panel event at the Festival. ‘What Next for Microbudget Movies?’ was presented by Film London, South West Screen and Vision+Media and looked at the future of micro-budget production. Speakers included Caroline Cooper-Charles, Head of Creative Development at Warp X, the production company behind micro-budget hit Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee directed by Shane Meadows, Kolton Lee and director of Microwave’s third successful feature Freestyle. The event followed a Microwave announcement from Film London and BBC Films, extending the scheme for another three years to produce more feature films on the back of its success.

The Festival was also the setting chosen by Film London and Ile de France Film Commission to launch a new partnership. The collaboration, a first of its kind between international film agencies, will ensure a cross-channel exchange of expertise, talent and best practice between London and Paris.

Finally the new Filming Partnership: London and the South East which has seen Film London and Screen South merging their locations services, was presented to the international industry in Cannes. A small reception targeting US and European producers outlined the excellent offer available in the region.

The 63rd Cannes Film Festival has seen 16 films with British involvement in the official line-up and a healthy number of features shot in London and the South East, including the opening premiere, Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, and Mike Leigh’s critically acclaimed Another Year, one of the two UK contenders for the Palme D’Or. The Festival will close its doors on Sunday 23 May, when the winners of this year’s coveted awards will be announced.