Philip French, who died last year, was Britain's foremost film critic – well-informed, widely-read, with a deep understanding of the practicalities of filmmaking and a taste for elaborate puns – and legions of readers of his regular reviews in the Observer and essays in Sight and Sound were devoted to his work. This, the first-ever Philip French Annual Lecture – instituted to celebrate his life and work and the qualities he stood for – will examine some of his many contributions to film culture; evaluate his career as a critic and radio producer; trace critics and film-makers he inspired; and re-visit his obsession with the Western.

French was educated at Bristol Grammar School, and his first job as a professional journalist was on the Bristol Evening Post. Bristol was important to him in developing his love for and knowledge about cinema and Bristol Festival of Ideas and Watershed are delighted to be organising and hosting this annual lecture devoted to his memory.

Speaker biography:

Sir Christopher Frayling is the former Rector of the Royal College of Art and a former Chairman of Arts Council England. He is well-known as an historian, critic and an award-winning broadcaster, with his work appearing regularly on radio and television. He has published books and numerous articles on contemporary art, design, film and the history of ideas including Sergio Leone: Once Upon a Time in Italy; Mad, Bad and Dangerous?: The Scientist and the Cinema; and Horace Walpole’s Cat.

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