LOCO London January at the BFI, Southbank

Whether it’s the roar that greets a great visual gag, the rueful chuckle of emotional truth or the surprised gasp at taboos being shattered, comedy films come alive when we watch them together. For LOCO’s second festival at BFI Southbank and selected cinemas across the capital offering an extraordinary range of original comedies, many of them UK premieres will screen during a jam-packed weekend. The festival will open with a preview of the LFF 2012 hit A Liar’s Autobiography (3D), introduced by Terry Jones, and will close with Robot and Frank (2012). Other attractions include a 50th anniversary screening of The Pink Panther (1963), a focus on women in comedy, a shorts showcase and a Kickstart Your Comedy Career Course.