For 25 years LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre) has been presenting Londoners with the chance to see the best in innovative theatre from around the world. LIFT has created a series of events to welcome The Sultan's Elephant; a picnic with hundreds of school children, primary and secondary; and a tracking project with young emerging artists from Project Phakama and Lewisham Youth Theatre.

LIFT is also presenting a one day event called How Many Elephants Does It Take..? exploring how the cultural sector and city infrastructures can work creatively together to change the way we experience the city.

LIFT’s programme of work with young participants is supported by The Foyle Foundation.

French video and installation artist Pierrick Sorin is based in Nantes and has exhibited at galleries all over the world as well as directing music videos and working as a TV reporter. His films – in which he is often the only actor as well as the director – depict the absurdity of existence.
Here he presents a special programme of short films.

Pierrick Sorin’s short film C’était bien du coulis de tomate tells the story of a time-travelling elephant... or how tricks and illusion might interest politicians.

France | 2005 | 24 mins | silent short film |
dir. Pierrick Sorin

Dominique Deluze's film tells the story of Royal de Luxe’s four month residency in Cameroon inventing new shows and finding new audiences. Amongst their new creations they gave a 'son' to their Giant, who, having left Le Havre took a stroll in the Savannah. The smaller giant has the face and the sometimes sad eyes of a beautiful African child.

In French with English subtitles.

France | 1999 | col | 84 mins | documentary |
dir. Dominique Deluze