Simon Hickson and Jim Sturgess talk movies and more at Movie Geek Live

Hickson and Sturgess shared the stage with Simon Brew in the first ever London Movie Geek Live event.

It truly was the best night out in London. Film Stories Presents Movie Geek Live held its very first London event last night in Leicester Square and without a doubt, it was a grand success. There were guests, a quiz, movie geekery, prizes and plenty of laughs, what more could you ask for? 

Simon Brew, the editor of Film Stories Magazine and host of the award-winning Film Stories podcast, has been doing the Movie Geek Live show in the West Midlands for quite some time now, so it was about time it landed in the big smoke too. Brew, who is first and foremost a movie geek, brought his immense knowledge and infectious enthusiasm about films and charmed us all with his wit. 

His first guest was Simon Hickson, a former Saturday morning TV star who now manages a MediCinema. He not only told us hilarious stories from his time as a TV star, but emotional and inspiring ones of his time providing screenings for hospital patients.

The two Simons spoke like two old friends, a remarkable testament to Brew’s ability to put his guests at ease and conduct a friendly conversation rather than a strict interview. Hickson’s most emotional story included when they showed Lightyear to a hospital cinema full of kids with Chris Evans in attendance before the film’s London premiere, technically holding their own premiere. 

After covering some important movie news – if you didn’t know what the betting chances of P. Diddy becoming the next Bond are, you would if you came to the event – Brew brought his second guest to the stage, actor Jim Sturgess. The pair discussed Sturgess’ underappreciated film Across the Universe as well as Simon’s favourite film, Geostorm.

More than anything, what became blatantly clear throughout the night is that Movie Geek Live is not just an event, but a community, a safe space for movie lovers to unite for a night of geeking out on movies and having a laugh. With the help of Emma Turner, Simon Brew had organised an inclusive, hilarious and entertaining evening. We, for one, can’t wait to be back.