Cambridge Film Festival
One of the UK's oldest film festivals, held annually in October in Cambridge, presenting adventurous international and British cinema to one of the world's most intellectually engaged university city audiences.
Overview
The Cambridge Film Festival is one of the UK's oldest and most respected film festivals. Founded in 1977 and held annually in October in Cambridge, the festival presents adventurous international and British cinema to one of the world's most intellectually engaged university city audiences.
Cambridge's identity as one of the world's great centers of learning -- home to the University of Cambridge, whose alumni include more Nobel Prize winners than any other institution -- creates an audience for cinema that engages with film as intellectual and artistic work. The festival's programming reflects this context, favoring formally ambitious and intellectually challenging films that reward attentive viewing.
The festival operates at the Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge's beloved independent cinema, which provides a quality screening environment and a year-round film culture that supports the festival.
Key Sections
- Feature Film Competition -- adventurous international features
- British Cinema -- new British features
- Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
- Short Film Competition -- British and international short films
- Retrospectives -- programs dedicated to major filmmakers
What Filmmakers Should Know
Cambridge accepts open submissions. The festival is specifically receptive to intellectually demanding and formally adventurous work. The university audience creates exceptional engagement with complex films.
Major Awards
- Best Film -- jury prize
- Audience Award
Festival History
Cambridge Film Festival was founded in 1977 and has operated continuously for over four decades.
See Also
For UK cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
