Bournemouth International Film Festival returns on 9 and 10 October 2026, bringing independent films, documentaries, shorts, animation, filmmaker talks and industry events to Bournemouth. Based at Hilton Bournemouth and surrounding venues, BIFF offers two days of screenings, workshops and discussions before concluding with a black-tie awards night. Find dates, ticket prices, venue details and what to expect from Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026.
28th September 2026
Bournemouth International Film Festival returns on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026, bringing two days of independent cinema, filmmaker conversations and industry events to the town centre. Whether you make films or simply love discovering them, BIFF offers a chance to see stories from the UK and around the world that might never appear on your usual cinema schedule.
The festival is centred at Hilton Bournemouth on Terrace Road, with some events taking place at surrounding venues. Its 2026 programme will include feature films, shorts, documentaries and animation, alongside talks, panels and workshops. The weekend concludes with a black-tie awards night on Saturday.
Bournemouth International Film Festival, also known as BIFF, is an event dedicated to independent filmmaking and emerging creative talent. Following its inaugural festival in 2025, it returns with screenings that bring audiences together with filmmakers, screenwriters and people working across film and television. You do not need an industry background to attend: the festival is also designed for anyone curious about cinema beyond mainstream releases.
Expect a mix of viewing and conversation. Visitors can choose from screenings of feature films, short films, documentaries and animation, then explore industry sessions or hear from some of the people behind the selected work. With events spread across both days, a visit could mean watching several films in one day or choosing a few sessions that particularly catch your eye.
The 2026 theme is Social Realism, with part of the programme exploring lived experience, communities and the pressures shaping everyday life. It is a theme running through selected events, rather than a limit on the festival’s genres or styles.
BIFF also offers something a conventional trip to the cinema rarely does: the opportunity to continue talking about a film after it ends, potentially with its makers in the room. For aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters, the talks and workshops add another reason to attend. The Saturday black-tie awards night brings the festival to a close by celebrating work across filmmaking, performance and screenwriting.
BIFF takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026. The main festival hub is Hilton Bournemouth, Terrace Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5EL. The organiser says surrounding venues will also be involved, so check the location of each screening or session when planning your visit.
The festival describes Friday’s programme as running approximately 10.30am to 9.30pm, and Saturday’s from 10.30am to 11.30pm. Individual screening and session times should be checked against the final programme.
The festival currently lists three main ticket options:
The organiser’s ticket descriptions provide the full inclusions for each pass. Check them before booking, particularly if you want to attend the awards night.
View Bournemouth International Film Festival tickets
The festival has confirmed the types of films and events visitors can expect, but says further programme announcements, filmmaker spotlights and details of industry sessions will follow in the run-up to October. If there is a particular film, speaker or workshop you hope to see, check the official BIFF website for updates before choosing your day or pass.
The festival takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026.
Hilton Bournemouth, Terrace Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5EL, is the main festival hub. The organiser also mentions surrounding venues.
Yes. BIFF welcomes film lovers as well as filmmakers and screenwriters. Its screenings offer an accessible way to discover independent films from the UK and internationally.
The announced programme spans feature films, short films, documentaries and animation. Individual titles and screening times should be checked as the full programme is released.
The festival lists a seat at the Saturday black-tie awards night as part of its All Access ticket. Check the booking page for the precise terms of any other ticket before purchasing.
No. They are separately advertised Bournemouth film events with different dates and ticketing. BIFF 2026 is the 9-10 October event centred at Hilton Bournemouth.
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