Taking place from 22 October to 1 November 2026, Cambridge Film Festival 2026 brings 11 days of extraordinary storytelling to the heart of Cambridge. From Cannes award winners and eagerly anticipated premieres to independent discoveries, documentaries and much loved classics, there’s something to tempt even the most occasional cinema-goer.

As the third longest running film festival in the UK, Cambridge Film Festival has a remarkable history. But what makes it so enjoyable is its sense of discovery. You might arrive to see a film you’ve been looking forward to for months and leave talking about something you’d never previously heard of.

With so much to choose from, here’s our guide to the screenings, special events and hidden gems worth keeping an eye on this year.

The Big Screen Moments Not to Miss

Every film festival has its headline acts, and Cambridge has assembled an impressive line-up for 2026.

Opening the festival is I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, the latest film from acclaimed British director Clio Barnard. Following five childhood friends from a Birmingham estate as they approach their thirties, the film stars Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack and Lola Petticrew.

Barnard will also receive the festival’s Outstanding Contribution Award, with screenings of her earlier films The Selfish Giant and Ali & Ava. For anyone interested in British filmmaking, this is a particularly good opportunity to explore her work.

At the other end of the festival, Wild Horse Nine brings proceedings to a close. Directed by Martin McDonagh, the dark comedy stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Parker Posey. Set against the political tensions preceding Chile’s 1973 coup, it follows CIA agents dispatched to Easter Island.

Another major highlight is Fjord, Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or-winning film from Cannes 2026. Starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, this unsettling drama explores family relationships and suspicion within a remote Norwegian community.

And if you enjoy a film with a theatrical twist, look out for The Debut, Jesse Eisenberg’s latest feature. With a cast including Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey and Bernadette Peters, it follows a shy young woman drawn into the absorbing world of a local musical.

Also appearing in the Gala programme are Fatherland, accompanied by an academic discussion exploring German heritage and Thomas Mann’s cultural legacy, Andrew Haigh’s A Long Winter, Lukas Dhont’s Coward and Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters.

Our tip: The Gala screenings are a natural starting point if you’re new to the festival. But do leave room in your diary for something less familiar. Some of the most memorable festival experiences come from taking a chance on a film you know very little about.

Discover Something Before Everyone Else

One of the real pleasures of Cambridge Film Festival is the chance to see international films before they reach wider UK audiences.

This year's programme includes several UK and European premieres, among them Nina Roza, Truly Naked, Harsh Land, Distant Sky and Sad Girlz.

Nina Roza, receiving its UK premiere, is Canada’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards. Directed by Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, it follows a Montreal art dealer who travels to rural Bulgaria to investigate reports of an exceptionally talented six-year-old artist.

Elsewhere, Harsh Land, Distant Sky tells the story of a Kurdish war veteran struggling with the memories of conflict, while Sad Girlz explores the complicated friendship and rivalry between two teenage swimmers following a traumatic assault.

The festival's Short Fusion programme is another strand worth exploring. Featuring emerging filmmakers and UK and European premieres, it includes the Indian film The One Who Plays and Australia's Mooncake, about a young woman coming out to her family during the Moon Festival.

Our tip: If you're feeling adventurous, choose at least one short-film screening or international premiere. It’s a wonderful way to encounter a new filmmaker, and you may find yourself discovering a future favourite.

Stories from Around the World

Cambridge has always been a city with an international outlook, and the festival's International Festival Highlights programme reflects that spirit.

Among the films is American Doctor, Poh Si Teng's documentary following three American doctors travelling to Gaza to provide medical care. It's joined by titles including Viva, Give Me the Ball!, Filipiñana and Nina Roza.

For audiences drawn to cinema that challenges expectations, the Reframe strand offers another fascinating selection.

A particular highlight is La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Connecting the lives of three men across different periods, the film explores sexuality, desire and the legacies we inherit. Its accolades include Best Director at Cannes, the People's Choice Award at Toronto International Film Festival and the Audience Award at San Sebastián. It is also Spain's submission for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards.

Other Reframe screenings include Elephants in the Fog, winner of the Jury Prize in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section, alongside I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming and Hunky Jesus.

For those who enjoy films that stay with them long after the credits roll, these are well worth a look.

Films That Spark a Conversation

Some of the most interesting screenings at a festival are those that encourage you to see familiar issues from an entirely different perspective.

This year's Environment & Community programme explores our relationship with nature, the places we inhabit and the communities around us.

Leading the strand is Nuisance Bear, winner of the 2026 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary. The film follows polar bears entering a Canadian town as climate change reshapes the relationship between wildlife and local residents.

A special Alchemie event will accompany the screening, creating an opportunity to explore the film's environmental themes beyond the cinema.

Other titles include The Peace Particle, Papaya and Daughters of the Forest.

Meanwhile, the Belongings strand explores identity, memory, family and the meaning of home. Its programme includes Truly Naked, The Beauty of the Donkey, Sad Girlz, Rocket Girl, My Father and Qaddafi and Harsh Land, Distant Sky.

Our tip: If you enjoy a good conversation after a film, keep an eye out for screenings with accompanying discussions and special events. They're an opportunity to explore the stories beyond what's on screen.

A Little Nostalgia: Films Worth Revisiting

Not everything at Cambridge Film Festival is about discovering the new. There are also plenty of opportunities to revisit familiar favourites.

As part of the BFI's nationwide Rip It Up season, the festival presents Rip It Up: Out Loud, exploring 75 years of youth rebellion, culture and self-expression on screen.

The programme includes Bend It Like Beckham, Rocks and 24 Hour Party People, three very different films united by their celebration of individuality, community and challenging expectations.

Whether you're revisiting a favourite or watching one of these films for the first time, there's something particularly enjoyable about experiencing it with a cinema audience.

Bringing the Family? You're in Luck

One of the nicest things about the festival is that younger film fans haven't been forgotten. The Family Film Festival returns with a collection of free, relaxed screenings designed to make cinema accessible and enjoyable for all ages.

This year's selection includes Wicked, Little Women, The Secret Garden, Ron's Gone Wrong, Freakier Friday, Addams Family Values and a special 35th-anniversary presentation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

All Family Film Festival screenings are completely free, with reduced sound levels, a relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly crafts and activities.

Our tip: This is a lovely opportunity to introduce younger children to the magic of cinema, particularly if a traditional screening might feel a little overwhelming. It's also a great option for families looking for something different to do in Cambridge during the autumn season.

Celebrating 45 Years of Cambridge Film Festival

This year's festival is particularly special, marking 45 editions of bringing extraordinary cinema to Cambridge. To celebrate, there will be a special screening of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, alongside a programme of events that goes beyond the cinema screen.

The Film Quiz offers a chance to put your film knowledge to the test, while Cambridge Connections explores the people, places and stories that connect the city to the world of filmmaking.

There's also Industry Day, bringing filmmakers and industry professionals together, and Breaking In: Screenwriting, where established experts will share practical advice and insights for aspiring screenwriters hoping to enter the film and television industry.

Festival-goers can also play a part in celebrating the programme through the Audience and Jury Awards.

It's a reminder that Cambridge Film Festival isn't simply about watching films. It's about sharing ideas, meeting people and discovering new perspectives.

Make a Weekend of It in Cambridge

With Cambridge Film Festival taking place in the heart of the city, it's the perfect excuse to spend a little longer in Cambridge. From award-winning international films and exciting premieres to free family screenings, there's plenty to discover across the festival's 11-day programme.

Why not turn your visit into an autumn city break? Stay overnight at Arms, overlooking Parker's Piece and just a short stroll from Cambridge Arts Picturehouse. Spend the day enjoying the festival, exploring the city's historic streets and stopping for a coffee or two along the way.

And if you're visiting on Saturday 24 October, there's an extra treat in store. Join us at Parker's Tavern for Jazz at the Movies

an evening of live music celebrating some of cinema's most memorable jazz moments.

Featuring Cambridge's own Tim Boniface on piano and saxophone, alongside Sam Miles on saxophone, Joel Humann on double bass and Joe Taylor on drums, the evening promises swinging jazz favourites and beautiful ballads.

Our local tip: Make a night of it. Book an early dinner at Parker's Tavern around 5.30–6pm, before settling in for the music when doors open at 7.30pm. Then, with your room just upstairs, there's no need to rush home.

From inspiring cinema to live jazz, good food and a relaxing overnight stay, it's a wonderful way to experience Cambridge this Autumn.