The Cambridge Film Festival returns this autumn with 100 films, bold new voices and global premieres
Top image Jérôme Prébois
The Cambridge Film Festival (CFF), one of the UK’s most distinctive and longest-running celebrations of cinema, returns to Cambridge Arts Picturehouse with its 44th edition this autumn, promising an extended 11-day programme packed full of world-class films, bold new voices and unforgettable stories from all around the globe.
Running from 23 October to 2 November, this year’s festival will present nearly 100 titles from more than 25 countries, including 30+ UK premieres, alongside European and world debuts. More than 50% of the line-up is female-directed – marked with the Festival’s signature ‘F’ rating that helps champion women filmmakers.
Major names, bold voices
This year’s programme is a heady mix of breakthrough debuts, global talent and award-winning auteurs. Highlights include:
Bugonia – Yorgos Lanthimos’s 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’s 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 motherhood and biotech, 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.
Cinema with purpose
Returning for 2025, the beloved Environment & Community strand examines urgent global and local themes, showing How Deep Is Your Love, a poetic documentary about Britain’s hidden urban nature directed by Eleanor Mortimer, and We Live Here, a powerful portrait of resistance and resilience in Kazakhstan, by filmmaker Zhanana Kurmasheva.
Free family screenings
As part of its commitment to accessible cinema, CFF offers free morning screenings for families throughout October half-term. Discover animated gems and modern classics like Inside Out 2, Whale Rider, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Parent Trap and more.
Talent support
In partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the festival will be hosting its fourth CFF Industry Day, welcoming emerging talent and established creatives alike for panels, networking and forward-looking discussions. Expect insights on the future of film, sustainability in cinema and diversity in storytelling.
Showreel
Three minutes with Cambridge Film Festival operations manager Cristina Roures
How long have you been involved with the Cambridge Film Festival?
Since I moved to Cambridge in 2014; I started out as a volunteer!
Favourite part of the event:
The people! From the team to volunteers to audiences. I love the atmosphere and sense of community.
Cambridge Film Festival operations manager Cristina Roures
Top film discoveries from past programmes:
A documentary called Poached (2015) exploring the psychology of illegal wild bird egg collectors – so unexpected! Also, Rocks by Sarah Gavron, which opened the festival in 2019.
Showing you’re most looking forward to this year:
Hard to choose, but I’m thrilled we’re showing Romería, the latest from Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón, one of the greatest new voices today.
Favourite actors:
I’m currently quite obsessed with Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal (who isn’t?!), but I love many others, such as Olivia Colman, Tilda Swinton, Carey Mulligan and Joaquin Phoenix.
Go-to genres:
Coming-of-age, social realism and drama. I love emotional and intimate stories (and a good cry!).
Film score that gives you shivers:
In the Mood for Love; haunting and so very beautiful.
Most memorable movie moment:
There are many, but Roy Batty’s ‘Tears in Rain’ monologue at the end of Blade Runner (1982) drenched on the rooftop is one, it’s so poetic.
Favourite comfort film:
Amélie always lifts my mood.
For more information on the full programme and to buy tickets, visit cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk
