Cambridge Film Festival 2025

Cambridge Film Festival expands to 11 days with star-studded premieres and 100+ films this October.

The Cambridge Film Festival (CFF), one of the UK’s most distinctive and longest-running celebrations of cinema, returns this autumn for its 44th edition, promising an expanded 11-day programme filled with world-class films, bold new voices, and unforgettable stories from around the globe.

The 44th Cambridge Film Festival will open with the multi-award-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, his most sharply funny and playfully anarchic film to date. Reuniting with Emma Stone and joined by Jesse Plemons, the Oscar-nominated director reimagines the South Korean cult favourite Save the Green Planet! as a twisted sci-fi comedy brimming with paranoia, absurdity, and pitch-black wit. When a man becomes convinced a corporate executive is an alien bent on destroying humanity, he sets off a spiralling chain of events that veer from the sinister to the surreal — and often hilariously so.

Running from 23 October to 2 November 2025, this year’s Festival will showcase nearly 100 titles from over 25 countries, including 30+ UK premieres, alongside European and World debuts. Over 50% of the line-up is female-directed, marked with the Festival’s signature F-Rating, championing women filmmakers.

Festival Highlights – Major Names, Bold Voices This year’s programme is a heady mix of breakthrough debuts, global talent, and award-winning auteurs. Highlights include:

Bugonia – Opening Night Film Yorgos Lanthimos’ twisted, darkly comic sci-fi reimagining of the Korean cult hit Save the Green Planet!, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Expect paranoia, pitch-black absurdity, and Lanthimos’ most anarchic storytelling yet.

Rental Family – Brendan Fraser stars in a soulful, Tokyo-set drama from director Hikari and producer Riz Ahmed. A tender look at identity and emotional performance in an increasingly disconnected world.

Alpha – Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau returns with a searing near-future tale of biotech and motherhood, led by the powerful Golshifteh Farahani. A Private Life – Jodie Foster headlines this suburban mystery from Rebecca Zlotowski, peeling back the private tensions that shape everyday lives.

The Ice Tower – A haunting mystery set in an isolated snowbound facility, starring Marion Cotillard and directed by Lucile Hadzihalilovic. Expect atmosphere, elegance, and enigma.

Environment & Community Strand: Cinema With Purpose Returning for 2025, this beloved strand examines urgent global and local themes:

How Deep Is Your Love – A poetic documentary about Britain’s hidden urban nature, directed by Eleanor Mortimer.

We Live Here – A powerful portrait of resistance and resilience in Kazakhstan, by filmmaker Zhanana Kurmasheva.

Cambridge Connections: Stories Close to Home This year’s expanded Cambridge Connections strand features two films with strong local ties:

Lost for Words (2025) – Lana (Nina Fidderman) and Tom (David Boan) are accidentally locked in a bookshop overnight, prompting Lana to reflect on her life. Filmed in Ely and directed by local filmmaker Rick Bush, this heartfelt drama offers warmth and introspection.

Measures for a Funeral (2025) – Academic Audrey Benac (Deragh Campbell) embarks on a journey to resurrect the legacy of forgotten Canadian violinist Kathleen Parlow, from Toronto to Oslo, via Cambridge and Meldreth. This poignant meditation on memory and ambition returns Sofia Bohdanowicz’s recurring character Audrey.

SPECIAL EVENT: Mark Kermode’s Surround Sound

Film critic Mark Kermode and award-winning radio producer Jenny Nelson explore cinema’s most powerful soundtracks in this one-of-a-kind event, with anecdotes, favourite tracks, and a special guest.

Join Britain’s best-known film critic and the co-author of the new book Mark Kermode’s Surround Sound: The Stories of Movie Music for an evening of cinematic insight, sharp wit, and passionate debate. From cult classics to blockbuster scores, expect revealing stories, honest opinions, and plenty of chances to ask questions and join the conversation.

The talk is followed by a book signing, with copies available to purchase at the event.

Free Family Screenings – A Half-Term Treat As part of its commitment to accessible cinema, CFF44 offers free morning screenings for families throughout October half-term. Discover animated gems and modern classics including Inside Out 2, Whale Rider, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Parent Trap, and more.

Industry Engagement & Talent Support In partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the Festival will host the 4th CFF Industry Day, welcoming emerging talent and established creatives for panels, networking, and forward-looking discussions. Expect insights on the future of film, sustainability in cinema, and diversity in storytelling.

Owen Baker, Festival Management Team: “We’ve pulled out all the stops this year to deliver an unforgettable 11-day celebration of cinema. From bold premieres to powerful stories that challenge, delight and surprise, this first look is just a taste of what’s to come. We can’t wait to reveal the full programme and welcome audiences back to Cambridge this October.

About Cambridge Film Festival

Founded in 1977, the Cambridge Film Festival is one of the UK’s premier film events, known for its bold programming, intimate atmosphere, and deep commitment to world cinema. The Festival is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust, a registered charity that champions film culture year-round. The Cambridge Film Festival is made possible by the BFI Film Audience Network, which awards National Lottery funding to support access to film across the UK.