In 2026, Cambridge Film Festival turns 45. We're marking our Sapphire Anniversary with a year of special events, screenings, and celebrations, running from April through to our flagship festival in October.
Stay up to date with everything CFF45!A letter to our audience
Forty-five years is a long time to love something.
Since 1977, the Cambridge Film Festival has run for one reason: to bring films worth watching to this city, and to share them with the people who live here.
The first festival screened Kurosawa's Dodeska-den, Visconti's Conversation Piece, and Rosi's Illustrious Corpses, at the Arts Cinema in Market Passage.
The early 90's saw CFF host the UK premieres of, among others, Thelma & Louise (1991) and Reservoir Dogs (1992).
In 2011, Gary Oldman and John Hurt came to present Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Last year, we showcased our largest collection of world and UK premieres for many years.
In 2026, we turn 45. In the language of anniversaries, that makes this our Sapphire year.
We're marking this milestone with a full year of events - quiz nights, community screenings, intimate fundraising dinners, and three special screenings at the Arts Picturehouse, culminating in the 45th Cambridge Film Festival from 22 October to 1 November 2026.
We hope you'll join us for as much of it as you can.
Sapphire is the gemstone of the 45th anniversary; it takes decades to form underground and is measured by its clarity, colour, and depth. The festival shares some of that logic. It started in 1977 with a handful of screenings and a borrowed cinema. It now runs for eleven days each autumn, attracts filmmakers from across the world, and holds BAFTA, BIFA and Gierson qualifying status.
In 2026, the celebrations run from April to December. You'll find the full calendar below.
CFF45: The full calendar
Details for some events are still being confirmed. Where that's the case, we've flagged it — and we'll update this page as soon as things are locked in.
Subscribe to our newsletter to hear first.
June - The Big Birthday Film Quiz
4 June | Cambridge Junction (J3) | 7:30pm
The first public event of our Sapphire year. Rounds cover the full range: silent-era classics to last year's releases. Teams of 4–6 people; the venue will match smaller groups on the night. Bar open throughout, raffle and snacks included.
Funds raised go directly to the Cambridge Film Trust.
May, June, July & December - Quarterly film screenings
Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge
Three anniversary screenings across the year, each introduced by a guest. Giving you your Festival fix throughout the summer and at Christmas!
July & August - Community screenings
Two free screenings this summer, taking cinema into community spaces across Cambridge.
Indoor community screening 27 July | Community Centre (venue TBC)
Outdoor community screening 27 August | Brownsfield Community Centre
August - Festival launch event
Join us for our 45th Birthday Party and the launch of the 45th Cambridge Film Festival. A look back at CFF's history and an exciting first look at what's coming at CFF45. All the details are being worked on at the moment, and we'll have more news very soon.
Details coming soon.
September - Family film screening
27 September | Cambridge City Library (Everyspace Community Hub)
A free event screening children's films in the centre of Cambridge. A little taste of what's to come in the Cambridge Family Film Festival in October!
October - November - The 45th Cambridge Film Festival
22 October – 1 November 2026
Eleven days of independent and international cinema at the Arts Picturehouse and partner venues across Cambridge. Features, documentaries, shorts, Q&As, and special events - with BAFTA and BIFA qualifying screenings.
Also happening throughout CFF45
Alongside the events calendar:
School film poster challenge: Open to young people across Cambridge
CFF45 merchandise: All your favourite CFF merch! Details coming soon
Local brand partnerships: We're excited to be teaming up with some great local brands.
Follow our news for updates as they're confirmed.Come and be part of it
Every event in the CFF45 calendar is open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Check back on this page as details are confirmed, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates as they land.
The Cambridge Film Trust is a registered charity (number 1120059). Donations and Friends memberships fund our free programmes: the Youth Lab, Reel Voices, community screenings, and family events, all of which run year-round.