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.
13th October 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.
Bournemouth International Film Festival returns for its second year in October 2026, building on the inaugural festival held in 2025.
Created to support independent filmmakers, emerging talent and new voices in cinema, BIFF brings audiences and filmmakers together for two days of screenings and conversations in the heart of Bournemouth.
The programme spans feature films, short films, documentaries and animation from both the UK and international filmmaking community. Many of the films come from independent filmmakers without the marketing reach of major studios, giving audiences the opportunity to discover stories and perspectives they may not otherwise see on the big screen.
BIFF is not just aimed at filmmakers or people working in the screen industries. Film lovers can attend too, making it an accessible way to discover independent cinema while hearing directly from some of the people behind the work.
The theme for Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026 is Social Realism, exploring cinema's ability to reflect real lives, communities and the pressures shaping everyday society.
The theme will feature across selected parts of the programme rather than defining every film shown, with the wider festival continuing to cover a broad mix of genres and filmmaking styles.
Across Friday and Saturday, visitors will be able to move between screenings, workshops, panel discussions and industry sessions.
There will also be opportunities to hear from people working across film and television and meet some of the filmmakers behind the selected films.
With several screenings and sessions taking place throughout each day, visitors can create their own festival experience depending on the films, subjects and discussions that interest them most.
Friday's programme is expected to run from approximately 10.30am until 9.30pm, with Saturday continuing from around 10.30am until 11.30pm.
Hilton Bournemouth will once again act as the main festival hub, allowing much of the BIFF experience to take place under one roof.
Screening spaces, talks, hospitality and the awards ceremony can all form part of the same event, helping create a more social festival atmosphere where conversations can continue after the films themselves have finished.
Some events may also take place at surrounding venues, so it is worth checking the final programme before visiting.
There are three main ticket options for Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026.
A full-day ticket gives visitors access to a packed schedule of screenings and events, with the festival encouraging audiences to build their day around the films and sessions that interest them most.
Advance booking is worth considering, particularly for anyone planning to attend the full weekend or Saturday's awards celebrations.
The festival concludes on Saturday evening with the BIFF Black-Tie Awards Night.
The event celebrates achievement across filmmaking, performance and screenwriting and provides a finale to the two-day festival.
Access to a table seat at the awards night is included within the All Access ticket.
Two-day independent film festival in Bournemouth.
Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026.
Festival hub at Hilton Bournemouth.
Feature films, shorts, documentaries and animation.
UK and international filmmaking talent.
2026 theme of Social Realism.
Workshops, industry panels and filmmaker discussions.
Opportunities to meet filmmakers behind selected work.
Black-Tie Awards Night on Saturday.
Day and weekend ticket options available.
BIFF is open to general film lovers as well as filmmakers, screenwriters and people working within the creative industries.
The festival describes itself as a place for audiences to discover stories beyond the usual cinema programme, while providing independent filmmakers with an opportunity to show their work to a wider audience.
Further programme announcements, filmmaker spotlights and details of industry sessions are still due to be released ahead of the festival, so visitors should check the official BIFF programme before attending.
Hilton Bournemouth
Terrace Road
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH2 5EL
Bournemouth International Film Festival takes place at Hilton Bournemouth and surrounding venues.
Tickets for Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026 are on sale now through the festival's official ticketing page.
With single-day, weekend and All Access passes available, visitors can choose between experiencing one day of independent cinema or making a full weekend of the festival.
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