Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026 returns to Bournemouth in October for two days of independent cinema, emerging talent and creative industry events. Visitors can expect feature films, shorts, documentaries and animation alongside workshops, industry panels, networking and a black-tie awards night.
29th August 2026
Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026 | Dorset Events 2026 | Dorset Lifestyle
Bournemouth International Film Festival returns on 9-10 October 2026 for two days celebrating independent cinema, emerging filmmakers and bold new storytelling.
The 2026 festival theme is Social Realism - Real Stories. Real Cinema, with a programme spanning UK and international short films, feature films, documentaries and animation. Alongside the screenings, visitors can expect industry talks, panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities designed to connect filmmakers, creatives and audiences.
The festival culminates in a black-tie awards night recognising outstanding work across a range of filmmaking categories.
Different festival passes are available depending on the level of access required, with options covering screenings, workshops, panels and wider festival events.
Advance booking is recommended, particularly for the awards evening and industry sessions.
Spanish
Chinese (simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Norwegian
Polish
Romanian
Russian
