‘They say never meet your heroes. Well, do. Do meet your heroes ‘– Michael Sheen
BIFA Meets is our brand new series of on-stage interviews that bring together the stars of the BIFAs and the film fans who love their work. Hosted in partnership with Time Out, these hour-long interviews are held at some of London’s most popular indie cinemas and are followed by open audience Q&A sessions, allowing anyone with an interest in film or filmmaking to hear directly from some of the industry’s biggest names.
BIFA Meets Michael Sheen
It’s fair to say that we lucked out with our first-ever BIFA Meets event. Multi-award winning actor and biopic acting master Michael Sheen joined us, with Time Out’s Global Film Editor Dave Calhoun as MC, at Picturehouse Central to discuss his influences, career to date and what excites and inspires him about filmmaking.
Sheen spoke about his upbringing in Wales and watching movies on Saturday evenings with his family, a tradition that inspired in him a love of film and of acting in particular. Using clips from his films to illustrate his points, he spoke about his greatest influences (citing Laurence Olivier and Robert De Niro) and favourite roles, explaining how he looks for a character’s vulnerabilities as a way in to the role.
Michael also spoke about access to the arts, and about how many routes into acting have changed or closed off since he began his career: ‘Our culture is a conversation. It’s all of us in the country having a conversation with each other. If only certain stories get told, it’s a very one-sided conversation.’
BIFA Meets Brendan Gleeson
Following hot on the heels of Michael Sheen will be two-time BIFA winner Brendan Gleeson. Find out more and book tickets here.
