Cambridge Film Festival is back!
Returning with a first-rate programme for its 42nd outing
Last updated 16th Oct 2023
The third longest-running film festival in the country, the Cambridge Film Festival, is set to return on 19th -26th October with a wide-ranging series of films, including several UK and European premieres.
The festival will take centre stage at the Cambridge Picture House to showcase a diverse selection of 100 independent and specialised films - including Gala screenings and International Festival Highlights, alongside director Q&As and panel discussions.
Filmmakers and professionals will also get the opportunity to connect and learn during the Cambridge Film Festival Industry Day on Monday 23rd October, which will feature a full day of workshops and discussions aimed at fostering relationships and enhancing industry knowledge.
There is a diverse programme on offer that organisers promise is suitable for all tastes and ages, from thrillers and horror to romance and comedy. So whether you're a cinema lover, film enthusiast or seasoned film maker, Cambridge Film Festival has something for you!
Further information on the festival and how to get tickets can be found at www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk
Festival Highlights
Next week sees the return of the UK’s third longest-running film festival, which rolls out the red carpet for some of the hottest films, stars and directors during a jam-packed eight days.
Now in its 42nd year, the Cambridge Film Festival offers an unmissable schedule of films starring Paul Mescal, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Willem Dafoe and Emma Stone to name a few.
Film highlights include ALL OF US STRANGERS with Paul Mescal, who also features in a further highlight, FOE; and a blazing debut, HOW TO HAVE SEX, from director Molly Manning Walker.
So what are the must-sees? With almost 100 films to choose from, here is a very small selection of what’s on offer:
Scala Radio's Top Picks
The Festival is delighted to welcomeDirector Carol Morley to Cambridge for Opening Night on 19th October. Described as a British road movie with a difference, her film,TYPIST ARTIST PIRATE KING is a heart-warming tribute to Sunderland-born artist Audrey Amiss.The film starsMonica Dolan, Kelly Macdonald, Gina McKee.
The Festival is also thrilled to welcome Asif Kapadia to Cambridge on 20th and 21st October to receive an outstanding contribution to cinema award. He will be introducing two of his best-known feature documentaries on iconic figures, SENNA and DIEGO MARADONA.
The closing night film is the fascinating whirlpool of a film, ALL OF US STRANGERS – which could be described as a crossover between Normal People and Fleabag. Andrew Haigh’s new film is one for the ages, with Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal tying past, present, and future in a London high rise. Part ghost story, part memory piece, ALL OF US STRANGERS is ultimately an exploration of the power of love.
Paul Mescal also stars in the next highlight, FOE, a horror-tinged psychological sci-fi feature from director Gareth Davis. Oscar nominees Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal star in this much-anticipated adaptation of Iain Reid's sci-fi thriller novel, Foe. The film explores a future where climate change has ravaged the earth and raises questions about the nature of humanity and AI.
Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer star in this next highlight. THE BIKERIDERS, Jeff Nichols’ latest invites us to 1960’s Chicago, where a motorcycle club evolves from being a place for local outsiders into something decidedly more sinister. Come for the stacked cast, stay for the beautiful visuals and ambitious story.
One of the international highlights to look out for is CHICKEN FOR LINDA! Italian-French duo Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach present this gorgeous, heartfelt and hilarious animation about love, nostalgia and community, which won the Cristal top prize at the Annecy Film Festival. Rich with laughter and bursting with colour and calamity, this story sparks an essential conversation about grief and joy in childhood.
The debut feature, HOARD, from self-taught London director Luna Carmoon, is another unmissable. It may seem like yet another kitchen sink drama, but give it a few minutes, and you'll find yourself amidst storytelling as you’ve never seen it before. Set in the 1980s and 1990s, Hoard explores a complex mother-daughter relationship. Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake) shines bright as Cynthia in this heart-wrenching, wondrous version of life as we know it.
Don't be fooled by its title, HOW TO HAVE SEX is not here to teach you anything. In Molly Manning Walker’s blazing debut, a hot Greek summer envelops three teenage friends as they bid adieu to their high school years. Rising star Mia McKenna-Bruce gives a spectacular performance as the shy, introverted Tara, who finds herself romantically entangled with a bad boy. Peter Bradshaw from the Guardian described it as, “Full-on energy, likeable performances and uncompromisingly daft jokes turbocharge this debut feature”.
THE RED SHOES, one of the greatest British films ever made is part of ‘Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into Powell & Pressburger's Dreamweaving Cinema’ strand at the Festival. Part of the BFI’s Cinema Unbound season, CFF will present a season of films, Q&A’s and panel discussions on the work and lasting impact of legendary filmmakers Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger.
HOME GROUND, a debut documentary feature from Kwon Aram about the first openly lesbian bar in South Korea, LesBos. Presented in collaboration with Queer East, a cross-disciplinary festival that showcases boundary-pushing queer cinema, moving image work and live arts from and about East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.
Festival Events and Talks
In addition, to the above film highlights, there is an exciting programme of industry talks, panel discussions, and networking events for filmmakers from across the country – all part of the Cambridge Film Festival Industry Day in partnership with BFI Network and Film Hub South East.
The CFF Youth Lab is also a key part of the Festival. The scheme supports young people’s first steps into careers and education in the film industry, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. CFF is very proud of the work the Youth Lab is doing and looks forward to the Youth Lab Jury selecting their film of the Festival this year.
Supporters of CFF might like to consider becoming a ‘Friend of the Festival’ and support the Festival’s work, not only bringing a series of outstanding films to Cambridge but also working with young people and diverse Cambridgeshire communities to build a true love of film and cinema.
Owen Baker from the Festival Management Team said: “With the Festival starting next week, the team are so excited to welcome people to what we think will be the best Cambridge Film Festival yet. The programming team have put together an amazing lineup of films and we can’t wait to share them with the wonderful Cambridge Audience.
“Whether you want the thrill of seeing the biggest films weeks before your friends, or simply to dive deep into thought-provoking documentaries, or to create cherished memories with our FREE Family Film Festival screenings every morning – there is something you will love at the Festival this year!
“Mark your calendars for the 19th of October, grab a festival brochure, and come experience a proper film festival!”
The complete Cambridge Film Festival programme is available at camfilmfest.com