Saturday is usually one of our busiest days at the festival. It's the day we run our labs and other non-film events. Unfortunately for us it seemed that the whole of London was suffering from a post-wedding hangover and the all-day events - comics at the BFI and the genre film campus - were sparsely attended. This was more noticeable at the free comics event where there was not as much incentive to get out of bed early. For the film campus, which was a paid event for the bargain price of £20, it was a different matter. However the smaller numbers worked in favour of those attending, covering topics such as story development, funding options, marketing and distribution, all with a view to the shift towards crowd funding and online social networks. Those attending were very positive about the content and what they learned during the day.

Over the BFI on the Southbank, which has been turned into a beachfront promenade, most people were taking advantage of the great spring weather, but as the day developed sun-shunning geeks made their way to the delegate centre to listen to the first day of panel discussions and peruse the tables of the small press comics. Alex Fitch, of Panel Borders, who ran the event will no doubt be posting some of the panel discussions on future SFL podcasts for those who missed them.

The BFI also hosted two premieres of documentaries. These weren't lavish red-carpet affairs, but they were attended by the filmmakers who were more than happy partake in Q&A sessions. First up was LET THERE BE LIGHT, a doc about the making of the cult film DARK STAR, John Carpenter's student film that went on to become international hit as well as spawn so great genre talent. This was a two-hour film made up mostly of clips from DARK STAR and interviews with all the crew, including the final interview with Dan O'Bannon. This is one of those films that anyone wanting to make genre movies should watch as it is both instructional and inspirational. After the screening affable director Daniel Griffith took questions from the audience.Unfortunately the Q&A for LET THERE BE LIGHT clashed with the premiere of THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE, by Phil Leirness, happening in NFT1. Running at just over two hours the film follows actor and stand-up comedian Dean Haglund's quest to find out the truth about a variety of conspiracy theories, as well as about his journey to find out about himself. The film covers a lot of territory, and while it may seem basic to hardcore conspiracy theorists or seekers of truth, it is so well presented that it still informs that group as well as those completely new to the subject, without ever speaking down to them. The Q&A after was as lively and interesting as the film itself, although it was slightly marred by the final unintelligible question, thankfully the BFI staff came to the rescue, because the next screening was waiting to go in.

Meanwhile, back at the Apollo the idea of sustainability in outer space was being investigated with the film BRINGING LIFE TO SPACE, and its subsequent panel discussion. This was followed by the screening of German silent film accompanied by a live performance of the unique musical talents of the Sawchestra, with the festival's own Sara playing her Stradivarius saw (really).

Come 9 o'clock it was time for the international premiere of PIG. This was one of our favourite films of the festival – if we are allowed favourites. It was a sort of GROUNDHOG DAY that is explained by science, where the lead can't remember who he is our why he is where he is. A great idea that was thoughtfully scripted, well shot and with a great performances. The director, who did his own publicity stunts before the festival, held an interesting Q&A after the screening.

By the time the PIG crowd came out of the screen, the bar and foyer was filling up with people coming for the allnighters. Not a lot of cosplayers come for the anime allnighters, but who can blame them as comfort is of utmost importance if you want to survive the night. Goodie bags were distributed and the hoards were marshalled into the screens before the pumpkin hour. As your writer likes to get some sleep he didn't hang around for the whole night, but was reliably informed by the enthusiastic and much younger volunteers that it went down very well thanks to Mountain Dew, Haagen Dazs and other caffeinated beverages.