I love the British Film Institute: its cinemas, library, mediatheque, bars, restaurant, cafe, bookshop and galleries are a delight to use; I could happily spend a whole day there experiencing every aspect of it.

However, that devotion doesn’t really extend to the BFI London Film Festival: I find that I don’t go that often when it comes around. I’m not sure why: maybe because there’s so much choice, leaving me unable to make a decision; maybe because much that’s on exhibition gets to have a regular release shortly after the festival, keeping me from rushing to see anything in particular; or maybe because I’m just too damn lazy – friends of mine get to see a plethora of fabulous films without breaking a sweat, while I’m at home, ticking various titles and scheduling when I can go through my diary to make arrangements to see them.

Still, friends do go: I have had wonderful experiences at the festival through chance and invitation. Some years ago, I won tickets to attend a conference on directors and critics, led by Mark Kermode. More recently, a former housemate invited me to join him and his then girlfriend to see a gorgeous new print of The Big Heat. This time around, friends invited me to attend two fascinating director’s talks with them.

The first was with Alfonso Cuaron, here to talk about his new film Gravity. Appearing with the director was the film’s visual effects director, Tim Webber. The event started with four scenes from the film being screened… As the audience collectively picked their jaws up from the floor, a good humoured and erudite discussion followed about the film’s production, actors and visual effects. (I saw the film last weekend and I have to see it again: great stuff!) The film makers’ drive and passion were well evident: four years spent making the film as good as they wanted it needed such drive. I’m sure film makers in the audience returned to their own projects with renewed vigour.

The other event I attended was with Hirokazu Koreeda. Some years ago, I watched his film After Life; a film that I’d recommend to pretty much anyone. A later film, Still Walking, unfolded like a great novel. Earlier this year, he released I Wish. A friend said the film was so life affirming that it should be prescribed on the NHS and I’m inclined to agree with him; funny, profound and moving, I Wish made my heart sing. Koreeda was here to talk about his latest film, Like Father Like Son, a story about two families’ sons who had been swapped at birth. Appearing with a translator, the Japanese director talked of his techniques, influences and projects. I listened with a smile on my face: the humanity in his films shone out of him and the event made me want to both do more of my own work and see more of his.

Two events, both informative, entertaining and inspiring, seen by chance. If that isn’t an encouragement to see more next year, then I don’t know what is. My friends are talking of meeting next year with their festival catalogues in order to coordinate what they see. I think that I’ll join them.