Film and events programme
Galas and special presentations
Headline Galas
Join us on the red carpet for our Opening Night, Closing Night and Headline Galas.
Strand Galas
Red carpet galas from our themed strands: Cult, Dare, Thrill, Debate, Love, Laugh, Family, Journey, Create, and Treasures.
Special Presentations
Join us for our Documentary, Experimenta, BFI Flare, and more Special Presentations.
In Competition
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Official Competition
The Best Film Award recognises inspiring, inventive and distinctive filmmaking.
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First Feature Competition
The Sutherland Award recognises the most original and imaginative directorial debut.
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Documentary Competition
The Grierson Award recognises films with integrity, originality, and social or cultural significance.
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Short Film Award
The Short Film Award recognises short form works with a unique cinematic voice and a confident handling of chosen theme and content.
Strands
Love
Sweet, passionate, tough – love is a complex and many splendoured thing.
Debate
Riveting films that amplify, scrutinise, argue and surprise.
Laugh
From laugh-out-loud to dry and understated – humour in all its forms.
Dare
In-your-face, up-front and arresting: films that take you out of your comfort zone.
Thrill
Nerve-shredders that’ll get your adrenaline pumping and keep you on the edge of your seat.
Cult
From the mind-altering and unclassifiable to fantasy, sci-fi and horror.
Journey
Whether it’s the journey or the destination, films to transport you and shift your perspective.
Create
Films that channel the electricity of the creative process, celebrating artistic expression in all its forms.
Family
Films for the young... and young at heart.
Experimenta
Films and videos by artists who transform our experience of seeing moving images.
Treasures
Revived and restored from the world’s archives.
Events
Exclusive talks from leading filmmakers and creatives.