There’s no question that Cambridge is a cinematic city – from its many appearances on-screen to an impressive clan of resident filmmakers – but Cambridge Film Festival has been at the epicentre since 1977. Weaving several strands this year, from gala screenings to international festival highlights, there’s something for everyone. 

Elle Haywood joined the festival as a volunteer submissions reviewer while completing a master’s degree, rising up the ranks to become lead programmer. Also onboard as part of the programming panel are Empire editor Amon Warmann, Bulgarian film critic Savina Petkova and the Cambridge Film Trust’s Mike O’Brien and Isabelle McNeill. “Everyone’s got diverse experience, some from an academic background, festivals or publishing, so it’s been the accumulation of everyone’s knowledge, insight and tastes,” says Elle. 

Flooded with over 1,000 submissions, the festival prides itself on showcasing the national alongside the international, lesser-known gems along with big blockbusters. All short films and a small percentage of features arrive through submissions, which must be sifted through by the programming team (including a crew of volunteers). “It’s a bit of a monolith of a task, but it’s enjoyable,” says Elle. “We get a rich mix.” 

Free submissions are open to those from Cambridgeshire, while a discount is offered to BAME and minority directors. Boy from Heaven, by Swedish-Egyptian director Tarik Saleh, is one of the jewels in the festival’s crown, while two documentaries from Ukrainian directors will be also shown – The Hamlet Syndrome and Pushing Boundaries.

“The festival gives audiences a chance to see cinema that doesn’t always get UK distribution,” says Elle. Special strands will look at themes of connection and disconnection, resilience, the wildly wonderful and the monstrous (a series comprising over 50% of this year’s female-directed titles, with a particularly feminist lens). Festival favourite Camera Catalonia returns, while the outstanding contribution award will go to Emma Thompson, with a special series of screenings in her honour. 

This year’s programme upholds a long legacy of quality cinema in the city. “The festival was a real beacon of this independent cinema movement when it started, bringing guests over for Q&As and interviews,” explains Elle. “It was a time when there were a lot less films being produced, so you got to really showcase the best of the best.” 

People of all backgrounds flock to the festival, from families to film buffs. Unsurprisingly, a host of industry professionals are drawn to Cambridge, making its first industry day this year, in partnership with the BFI Network and Film Hub South East. “It’s the start of new relationships,” says Elle. “This means we can follow people on their filmmaking journey. We have a festival to celebrate people creating amazing work.” 

Cambridge Film Festival returns to Arts Picturehouse Cambridge on 20-27 October. Tickets at camfilmfest.com

Festival Flicks

Grab the popcorn and check out these must-see leases for the big screen at Cambridge Film Festival.

The Banshees of Inisherin

Martin McDonagh makes his return with this comic masterpiece, which will open this year’s festival – probing what happens when two friends are suddenly not friends anymore.

Aftersun

Concentrating on memory, family ties and the passage of time, Aftersun has been lauded by critics. This is a delicate, tender exploration of how much we can truly know the ones we love, starring Paul Mescal and 12-year-old Frankie Corio in her debut role.

Beautiful Beings

An enthralling coming-of-age film from Icelandic director Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson, which navigates friendship and abuse with unflinching honesty.

Triangle of Sadness

This yacht-bound satire and Palme d’Or winner features an unbelievable cast of the filthy rich shipwrecked and stranded on an island – what could possibly go wrong?

Little Nicholas: Happy As Can Be

Nabbing the top prize at Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Nicholas cavorts around 50s Paris with family and friends.

Read our interview with director Emily Atef about her film More Than Ever, which heads up this year’s Cambridge Film Festival, here.