The media team of international TMT law firm Olswang has advised on a number of films which have been selected for this year's BFI London Film Festival Gala Screenings, including Philomena and The Invisible Woman. The festival runs from 9th to 20th October 2013.

Olswang advised the producers of independent British film Philomena, which will be screened at the American Express Gala, on all financing and general production matters. Philomena, starring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, is an adaptation of Martin Sixsmith's book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee, and is based on the true story of an Irish woman's lifelong search to find the child that she was forced to give up for adoption by the Catholic church as a young unmarried mother. The film, directed by "The Queen"'s Stephen Frears, has already received critical acclaim and attracted Oscar buzz following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and also scooped the runner-up People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year.

Olswang also advised on the financing of The Invisible Woman, Ralph Fiennes' second feature, in which he also plays. The film is based on Claire Tomalin's book and centres on the secret affair between Charles Dickens (played by Fiennes) and actress Nelly Ternan (played by Felicity Jones). The film premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and the London screening will be the film's European premiere.

Clare Coulter, Legal Director at Olswang, commented: "We are extremely proud to have been involved in bringing these very different films to the screen. It is always satisfying to see projects we have advised on be recognised and, in this case, featured so prominently in one of the world's great film festivals. We hope that they receive a warm reception at the 57th BFI London Film Festival."