That's a wrap on this year's Festival. Thank you for joining us to celebrate a wonderful weekend of the very best international and independent cinema as we welcomed friends, filmmakers and audiences to a feast of film and events at the North West's favourite, friendly film festival.
We couldn’t have done it without you, the audience, our funders and sponsors, and especially our brigade of volunteers.
Congratulations to all of the short films that were screened at the Theatre By The Lake on Saturday afternoon. What a wonderful selection of shorts showcasing amazing Cumbrian talent spanning genres, themes and styles.
Many thanks to Anwen, Lady Hurt for joining us and presenting the inaugural John Hurt Award for Excellence in Short Filmmaking to Dougal Vecqueray for MRI as voted for by the audience. BLACKPOOL by Stephen Gallacher got the second highest number of votes followed by DEAR HEART by Emily Barnard & Sara Barnes.
The judges prize in the Open Category went to MEAT RAFFLE by Stuart Armstrong, building on his success of winning the Audience Award last year for Lay-By.
The Student Prize was awarded to MRI by Dougal Vecqueray, a wonderful animation made at the Aardman Academy based on his own hospital experiences dealing with a heart condition.
MRI will be screened before the sold out closing film at the Festival on Sunday evening.
Thanks to the team at the Theatre By The Lake for all their hard word getting the films on the big screen.
Missed a highly rated film? Couldn’t get a ticket? Here is your second chance to see the best of the fest, highly rated or sold out screenings. All showing in Alhambra screen 2.
Check out the Ticket Updates for the latest on ticket availability to other titles.
Saving Our Rainforests on Friday at 9pm is sold out, so we’re also showing it at 8.15pm and 9.45pm.
Our opening and closing films are now SOLD OUT but don't forget there is a second screening of The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford on Saturday morning at 10:30am. Many other screenings are filling up now, so don't leave it too late to get your tickets. Check the Ticket Updates to find out what is selling fast and this is where we'll also announce what will be filling the Second Chance slots.
We've changed how tickets work this year so please look at the Your Visit page to ensure you have an enjoyable time.
Don't forget about the free Fringe Festival, other offers and the Osprey Short Film Awards.
Join us from the 19 to 22 March as we bring you the best of independant and international cinema to the magnificent surroundings of the Lake District.
Featuring premieres, talks, short films, retrospectives, Q&As, award winners, an entire Fringe Festival, hidden gems and more. This year's programme truly has something for everyone.
Tickets are selling fast and some screenings have already sold out, visit the news page to check the latest availability and find out about any additional screenings.
1976 was a pivotal year in cinema culture. It brought us some unforgettable films. Those of us lucky enough to watch them in cinemas when they first came out know the silent effect they had on cinema’s legacy. We could have chosen Network, All the President’s Men, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, Small Change, Carrie or even Rocky to represent the sea change in approach to filmmaking.
However, we think the films chosen are representative. The New Hollywood movement produced Taxi Driver and Cria Cuervos epitomised Spanish cinema at the start of the democratic era. Alan Parker turned from commercials to Bugsy Malone and the world was (nearly) ready for Roeg's kaleidoscopic metaphysical mindbender The Man Who Fell to Earth.
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.
