iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I am honoured, moved, and excited to share that I have been awarded a 2026 Daiwa Scholarship for my work writing on Japanese cinema In September, I'll be moving to Tokyo, where I'll undertake intensive language study and work placements in my field :) dajf.org.uk/scholarships...

6173

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

I spoke with 120 creatives in total this year! Here's that list:

100

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Hey friends, it's The End of 2025, and it's been quite a year. In the spirit of things, I'll join everyone in re-sharing and reflecting on my favourite articles and accomplishments of 2025. Let's take a Look Back: 🧵

152

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

I explored the diverse array of animation on offer at this year's Tokyo TIFF for @animag.bsky.social, speaking with programming lead and amime critic Ryota Fujitsu about a medium that he says "sets his heart aflutter" www.animationmagazine.net/2025/11/anim...

030

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

"We cannot film inside the heart" Daisuke Shigaya poured seven years into BIFF Competition title LEAVE THE CAT ALONE, a small film that speaks volumes We discussed capturing the uncapturable, and what time can reveal about our creative and romantic impulses [link below]

111

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

In his first-ever long-form English-language interview, I spoke with Japan's titan of time travel Makoto Ueda about script engineering, game logic, adaptation and homage. It's a special conversation. desperatelyseekingsubtitles.substack.com/p/makoto-ued...

1146

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

An interview that I've wanted to conduct for a long Time. Next week. :)

020

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

And introducing the LIFFF 2025 team, which adds the welcome wisdom of @notjudygarland.bsky.social and @simonramshaw.bsky.social!

020

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

We're back! Hot off the success of our first edition, the London International Fantastic Film Festival returns this December. Submissions for Features and Shorts are now open: filmfreeway.com/lifff Show us things we've never seen before -- we can't wait to see what you'll bring us.

143

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

I spoke with innovative Japanese playwright Hideki Noda about LOVE IN ACTION, working with figures such as Kathryn Hunter and Sabu, and reckoning with the past to forewarn the future. The London production streams internationally till May 12th. Link below ⬇️

121

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

In a sociopolitical climate increasingly intent on sidelining and disavowing empathy at every turn, it’s comforting to know that we are not immune to movies. My reflections on 2024 in cinema for @thefilmstage.bsky.social thefilmstage.com/blake-simons... :

081

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

As part of my GoCritic! coverage of Animateka, I wrote about the best of the best in the European Young Talents strand: a curious crop of films exploring connection with ourselves and with each other, to profound and reflective ends. For Zippy Frames: www.zippyframes.com/festivals/eu... :

000

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

I published 67 articles in 2024 across 12 outlets Conducted over 60 interviews with film creatives Covered 14 festivals internationally Programmed 32 film screenings I look forward to meeting even more of you this year! 😊

010

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

LIFFF was more of a success in its first edition than we could have dreamed— bolstered by a truly fantastic feature film lineup, a Q&A for every film, and the generous support of the London film scene, the filmmakers showcased, our wonderful juries, and press outlets

100

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

I met Kanako Fujita in Udine, and we began discussing the London International Fantastic Film Festival. LIFFF launched in November with our Opening Night Gala for THE KILLER GOLDFISH, with director Yukihiko Tsutsumi, producer Takeshi Moriya, and lead actress Erika Oka in attendance for a Q&A!

110

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Film festivals! I attended them, participated in workshops at them, and even organised one. Here's a nice photo of the Campus cohort at Far East Film Festival in Udine:

100

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Funniest interview snippet of my year

000

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

I flew off to another fest straight after we wrapped, so I'm late posting about it, but It Was A Good LIFFF, Charlie Brown Thank you so much to everyone who came along, helped usher, covered our lineup, sat on the juries. We'll be back next year bigger and better still. Fantastic things afoot ❤️

000

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Ahead of its International Premiere at LIFFF this Sunday, I sat down with Gakuryu Ishii to discuss his SELF-REVOLUTIONARY CINEMATIC STRUGGLE, a cinema-exclusive experience unlike anything you've ever seen desperatelyseekingsubtitles.substack.com/p/gakuryu-is...

123

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Saturday is the day for the core genre fans at LIFFF We've got theatrical fantasy in KING BABY, we've got gonzo transnational comedy in THE GESUIDOUZ, we've got gender struggle horror in SUCCUBUS. All back-to-back! All with Q&As! www.eventbrite.com/cc/2024-lond...

100

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

UPDATE: Tomorrow night's London Premiere of THE GESUIDOUZ will be followed by a Zoom Q&A with writer-director Kenichi Ugana!! 5:30pm, BLOC Cinema, Mile ENd Still some tickets available: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gesuid...

034

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Take the plunge this Sunday and find out who you really are #LIFFF www.genesiscinema.co.uk/event/93152

000

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Last night: Welcome to LIFFF, your new home for fantastic cinema beyond the boundaries of genre ☺️

120

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Nice photo of Yukihiko Tsutsumi and Erika Oka at the airport today! THE KILLER GOLDFISH screens Tuesday in London with these three talents in attendance! Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-killer...

011

Blake Simons @blakethinks.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I blurbed my favourite film of all time ahead of its long-overdue UK Premiere as Closing Film of the inaugural London International Fantastic Film Festival (Genesis Cinema, 1st December, 6pm)

112