Q&As and Guest Speaking

Events, Q&As and public speaking

I regularly introduce films, host Q&As and speak on panels. I really enjoy engaging with industry professionals and audiences at these events. I often convene guests and work closely with venue staff, festivals, sponsors and event organisers to deliver lively discussions with speakers and audiences. I work with print and social media outlets to maximise publicity – I love to see a full-house!

Organisers say:

“I have collaborated with Julia many times, at the Barbican and beyond, on a variety of cinema events, both in a curatorial and presenter capacity, and have hugely valued her film expertise, professionalism and enthusiasm.” Alex Davidson, Cinema Curator, Barbican

“Julia is a consummate professional and showed a great deal of enthusiasm and knowledge throughout the post film discussion. I would have no hesitation in recommending Julia in the future.” Anthea Jackson, Head of Events & Programmes, ORT UK

Julia “ran a well-researched and fascinating Q&A”

Do get in touch if you’d like me to host your event or convene a panel.

Past events include:

The London Critics’ Circle  Film Awards, February 2023. As an Awards Committee member, it was a privilege to announce Charlotte Wells, writer-director of Aftersun, as the winner of the Philip French Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker, sponsored by MetFilm. Lead actor Paul Mescal was on hand to accept the award.

Hester Street screening and Q&A with Peter Bradshaw and Stuart Wurtzel at the Curzon Mayfair, with UK Jewish Film and Birds’ Eye View, 24 April 2022

Chasing Portraits director Q&A (via Skype), JW3 24 February 2020

André Aciman and Howard Rosenman in conversation at JW3, part of Global Jewish Conversations series supported by the Genesis Philanthropy Group, 26 November 2019. The author and producer of Call Me By Your Name discussed ideas of Jewish diaspora identity and its bearing on their careers in the arts.
See press here and watch the video recording of the event here.

Sunset post-screening Q&A with writer-director László Nemes, Phoenix Cinema, 22 May 2019

Giraffes on Horseback Salad with a Side of AnimalCrackers, Barbican ScreenTalk, discussing the 1937 screenplay written by Salvador Dalí in collaboration with the Marx Brothers, with author Josh Frank and illustrator Manuela Pertega, 9 May 2019
See press coverage in the Observer here.

Celebrating Sir Michael Balcon at Ealing Studios: hosting panel discussion following screening of The Lavender Hill Mob (1951). In conversation with Barnaby Thompson, Head of Ealing Studios and Matthew Sweet, film historian. Part of Jewish History Month. 14 March 2019.

Seven Beauties ScreenTalk at the Barbican Cinema, Guest speaker on 6 March 2019

The Ponds (Still Waters Run Deep) post-screening Q&A with directors and producers Patrick McLennan and Samuel Smith, and writer Caitlin Davies. 16:00 on Sunday 10 February 2019 at the Phoenix Cinema.

Forgotten Soldier post-screening Q&A with Lady Irene Hatter. A sold-out charity fundraiser for ORT UK at the Soho Hotel, 30 January 2019.

RBG: Hosting a post-screening panel discussion about the life and work of US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Wednesday 5 December 2018 at the Picturehouse Central, with Dogwoof.

The Children Act: Q&A with director Sir Richard Eyre, Tuesday 4 September 2018 at the Phoenix Cinema 

Seven Beauties: Lina Wertmüller’s extraordinary 1975 Italian drama was the first film directed by a woman to be nominated for an Academy Award. Post-screening panel discussion, Tuesday 21 August 2018 at JW3.

Tracking Edith, Barbican ScreenTalk. Q&A with director Peter Stephan Jungk and producer Lillian Birnbaum. Tracking Edith delves into the motivations of Peter Stephan Jungk’s great aunt, Edith Tudor-Hart, an Austro-British photographer who lived a double life as a spy for the KGB. The documentary is screening on Saturday 28 July 2018, at the Barbican Cinema.

One Sings, The Other Doesn’t: Agnès Varda’s 1977 celebration of female friendship and feminism. Introduction to screening on Sunday 22 July 2018 at JW3.

Swimming with Men: Post-screening Q&A with director Oliver Parker, producer Anna Mohr-Pietsch and actor Daniel Mays. Tuesday 10 July 2018 at the Phoenix Cinema. 

The Testament: award-winning Israeli drama, at  SERET international Israeli film festival. Post-screening discussion, Saturday 12 May 2018 at PictureHouse Central. 

Through Lotte’s Lens: World Première on 12 March 2018 followed by Q&A with director Tony Britten, at the Phoenix Cinema. 

Remember Baghdad:a fascinating documentary exploring the untold history of the Iraqi Jewish community.

• Sold-out screening and Q&A with director Fiona Murphy and contributor Edwin Shuker, Sunday 7 January 2018 at the Phoenix East Finchley.
  You can watch the Q&A online here.
• Q&A with director Fiona Murphy, Monday 11 December 2017, at the Picturehouse Crouch End

Destination Unknown Post-screening Q&A with director Claire Ferguson and producer Lion Roberts, Sunday 18 June at JW3 London. 

SERET International, London Film Festival
Shalom Italia post-screening Q&A with director Tamar Tal Anati, 13 May 2017 at the Odeon Swiss Cottage.

The Zookeeper’s Wife charity screening for ORT UK, Monday 24 April 2017 at the Everyman Belsize Park
Moderating the Q&A with Antony Lishak, following the screening of this beautiful film, starring Jessica Chastain and directed by Niki Caro, at a screening raising money for ORT UK.

For UK Jewish Film:
Introducing Forever Pure at the Everyman Cinema, Hampstead, and the Odeon Swiss Cottage, at the UK Jewish Film Festival, November 2016

At the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley:

Some Q&A events are available to view online.

• Denial Q&A with writer Sir David Hare and director Mick Jackson (25.1.17)
• Growing Up Married Q&A with director Eylem Atakav and editor Lucy Rivers (30.10.16)
• A Good American Q&A with director Friedrich Moser, Bill Binney and Annie Machon (28.9.16)
• Hide and Seek Q&A with writer/director Joanna Coates and co-writer Daniel Metz (19.7.16)
• Mustang Panel Coordinator and Moderator (19.5.16) – available to view online
• My Nazi Legacy Q&A with Philippe Sands and David Evans (21.2.16) – available to view online