Cambridge Film Festival 2025: Unveiling Over 100 Films and Events

The Cambridge Film Festival is set to return for its 44th year, launching on October 23, 2025. This year’s festival will showcase over 100 films from 25 countries, including 30 UK premieres. The event will kick off with a glamorous red-carpet Gala opening at the Arts Picturehouse in Cambridge, marking the beginning of eleven days filled with world-class cinema, guest events, and engaging discussions.

The festival promises an extended schedule that spans two weekends, providing audiences more opportunities to enjoy UK premieres, international highlights, and unique events. The opening film, the much-anticipated sci-fi thriller Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, tells the darkly comic story of two men who kidnap a CEO they suspect is an alien. The festival will conclude with the poignant drama Rental Family, directed by Hikari in her English-language debut, featuring Brendan Fraser as a man who offers his services as a hired family member to strangers in Tokyo. This film explores themes of loneliness and the quest for connection in an evolving society.

Highlights of the Gala Screenings

Central to the festival’s excitement are the Gala screenings, featuring a headline film and special event each evening. Many of these screenings will be UK premieres, some accompanied by filmmaker Q&As and introductions. The Gala series opens with The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. This intense, real-time reconstruction portrays a young girl’s final phone call from war-torn Gaza, offering a powerful reflection on innocence amidst conflict.

Other notable Gala films include Is This Thing On?, a poignant comedy-drama directed by Bradley Cooper, exploring a couple’s journey through divorce and personal reinvention. The History of Sound, directed by Oliver Hermanus, tells a lyrical romance set during World War I, following two young men as they traverse America recording folk songs while discovering love and longing.

The festival will also feature Alpha, from Julia Ducournau, a chilling body horror film, and Nouvelle Vague, directed by Richard Linklater, which pays homage to the making of *Breathless*. Other highlighted films include The Ice Tower, A Private Life, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, each offering unique narratives that promise to captivate audiences.

Special Events and Thematic Programming

On October 24, the festival will feature a special event titled Surround Sound, hosted by renowned critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode alongside radio producer Jenny Nelson. This live event will explore iconic film scores and the emotional influence of music in cinema, enhancing the festival experience.

Beyond Gala screenings, the festival will present curated thematic strands, including Private Lives, Public Fates, which delves into the legacy of melodrama in film, and Environment & Community, highlighting cinema that addresses sustainability. The Cambridge Connections strand celebrates local filmmakers and stories, while the Short Fusion program showcases award-winning international short films. Families will benefit from a dedicated section featuring free morning screenings of beloved classics and new releases during the half-term period.

Festival attendees can also look forward to a surprise film, which will be unveiled during the festival, adding an element of excitement to the programme. Many screenings will include opportunities for audience interaction through filmmaker Q&As and guest introductions.

To promote accessibility, all student daytime tickets will be priced at just £4, making the festival more welcoming to students and early-career creatives. Additional initiatives include free family screenings and multiple showings of popular titles throughout the festival’s extensive run.

“This year’s programme is our boldest yet, filled with stories that will surprise, move, and stay with you long after the credits roll,” said a festival spokesperson. “With Gala screenings every night, powerful premieres, and standout films from around the world, we’re inviting audiences to experience something truly memorable.”

Tickets for the Cambridge Film Festival are now available for purchase, encouraging film enthusiasts to participate in this vibrant celebration of cinema.