Less than 2 weeks to go

Find out about additional screenings and which films are selling well on the News page and book your tickets before you miss out.

Osprey Short Film Award to Commemorate Sir John Hurt

We are delighted to announce that Anwen, widow of KFF Patron the late Sir John Hurt, will be the guest of honour at this year’s Festival when she presents the Osprey Short Film Awards at the ceremony on Saturday 21 March.

Lady Hurt will present the inaugural John Hurt Award for Excellence in Short Filmmaking along with the Open and Student Awards. Formerly the Audience Award, the John Hurt Award will continue to be voted for by the enthusiastic audience of filmmakers and festival-goers at the ceremony.

Lady Hurt commented: “With a long and varied career, John was a strong advocate for independent film. It’s a personal delight to present the newly named Award in honour of John, a fitting way to remember his passion for helping and inspiring the next generation.”

Ten films have been shortlisted in the 2026 Open and Student categories and feature a diverse array of genres, from charming stop-motion animations and documentaries to bold queer cinema and surrealist student work. The selection takes us on a journey from the delicate ecosystems of the Duddon Estuary to the neon-lit chaos of Blackpool. We see the world through the eyes of red squirrels, young skaters, and even a reanimated postman.

Welcoming KE Adventure - our World Premiere Film Sponsor

KFF is pleased to be working with KE Adventure to bring the special screening of When Life Gives You Lemons … Everyone’s Everest to this year’s Festival.

For 40 years KE Adventure have been operating active adventure holidays to the world’s most beautiful regions, including the Himalaya where When Life Gives You Lemons … was partially filmed.

If you are inspired to take on the same challenge as Sally, KE Adventure can take you on the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon – the world’s highest!

More Passholder and Festival Benefits

Buy a pass and in addition to benefits already in place, for the duration of the Festival receive:

• 10% off food and drink at Barua Street Food (Lake Road, Keswick), just book ahead and show your Pass on arrival

For ALL Festival-Goers we are delighted to be working with Chinty’s Cafe (St John’s Street, just down the road from the Alhambra) to provide a special space for Festival-goers on Friday and Saturday with:

• Central tables reserved for Festival Passholders (other tables available to Festival-goers but BOOK!)
• Special Festival meal-deal of a bowl of soup plus side (scone/ sausage roll/ vegan chickpea bun) plus coffee for £10
• Takeaways available all day

Please note Chinty’s Café is CASH ONLY; book on 017687 74118, in person or email chintyt@gmail.com.

Free Festival Shuttle Bus

Thanks to funding from Film Hub North we are pleased to be able to offer a FREE shuttle bus service on Sunday 22 March, extended this year to include the journey between Penrith and Rheged.

The bus will run a circular route, leaving Keswick then picking up in Penrith town and arriving at Rheged in time for the start of each film.

Return buses will depart Rheged to drop off in Penrith and arrive back in Keswick in time for the films at the Alhambra.

See the travel page for full details including how to book your seat.

Festival Fringe Announced

Nurturing talented filmmakers in our community is important to Keswick Film Festival and we are proud to present a selection of films made by groups and individuals, that showcase Cumbrian Life.

From BlueJam Arts based in Penrith to our colleagues and students at Carlisle College, from short films by young filmmakers to films about the Borrowdale temperate rainforest and suicide prevention in Cumbria, our Festival Fringe demonstrates local storytelling at its best.

The Fringe programme and timetable are now available to download and you can find more details on all of the events on the Fringe page.

With huge thanks to all our Fringe contributors.

Please note, there is no admission charge to Fringe films and events, but seats will need to be booked via the Alhambra website. Donations towards the Festival running will be requested at the screenings with any surplus going to Keswick Area Food Share.

Tickets Now on General Sale

Everybody can now buy tickets for individual films at the Festival.  Please book now to avoid disappointment as many films are already selling fast.

If you want to see multiple films our Festival Passes are a great option but these are only available until Monday 16 March.

See the Passes and Tickets page for full details including changes to how passes and tickets work this year.