Launched today at BAFTA, London, the 2018 season celebrates the centenary of the Representation of the People Act in a major commission with Artichoke, and explores the impact of the First World War beyond the UK.

Highlights of the 2018 season include:

• World premiere of The Great War, a 3D film by internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson using archival footage of the Somme restored with digital technology
• PROCESSIONS by Artichoke invites women across the UK to mark the centenary of women gaining the vote, with commissions by over 100 female artists
• A work by Rachel Whiteread to mark the centenary of the Forestry Commission
• Fly By Night, a night-time performance featuring pigeons, highlighting their role as message carriers during the First World War
• A multi-screen film by John Akomfrah on the millions of forgotten African servicemen who fought and died in WW1

[quote=Sir Peter Luff, Chair of HLF]“The arts have great power to connect people with stories from our past."[/quote]

The season will culminate on Armistice Day in November with a new, UK-wide work by Danny Boyle, details of which will be announced later in the year.

Over 30 million people engaged so far...

Funded by the National Lottery through HLF and Arts Council England, 14-18 NOW has pioneered a new type of memorial by taking artworks directly to people, both physically and digitally.  So far over 30million people experienced a commission.

You may have seen the iconic Tower of London poppies by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, which are currently touring the UK.  Or the moving ‘We’re here because we’re here’ by Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, where actors dressed as First World War soldiers silently mingled among crowds in shopping centres and railway stations.  

Speaking at today’s launch, Sir Peter Luff, Chair of HLF, said: “The arts have great power to connect people with stories from our past. Through its imaginative and inspiring commissions, 14-18 Now has engaged millions of people in the First World War Centenary and helped them understand the complexity and contemporary relevance of this global conflict. Money from National Lottery players has made the programme possible and 2018 looks set to provide a fitting finale to the Centenary.”

Full details of the 2018 programme can be found on the 14-18 NOW website.