First established in 1977, the Cambridge Film Festival has been committed to delivering high quality independent films to the widest possible audience. Bold and imaginative in its presentation of films, the Festival embraces the latest technology, while also showcasing its passion for the heritage of cinema. We champion new methods of filmmaking and emerging platforms of distribution. Through our open submissions process, we support filmmakers from all across the world as well as locally, providing a platform for new talents to showcase their work.
It’s a celebration of film – past present and future. So, it’s a chance to relive and enjoy past glories, but also to see what’s happening in film right now, and reveal new talents who will shape the future of cinema. A good example of that is a chap who had his student short selected for the programme here back in 1996, named Christopher Nolan. Apparently he’s done quite well since! What makes Cambridge different from other Festivals is that it attracts big names but is nonetheless intimate and approachable. There are no red carpets, no banks of flashbulbs going off, and the chances are the acclaimed director of the much anticipated new film you’re about to see is happily hanging out in the bar, just like you!
Venice has gondolas, Cambridge has punts. An icon of the city's landscape, which our awards are named in honour of. All films that screen at the Festival that are UK premieres are eligible.
These include the Golden Punt Audience Award for Best Feature, the Silver Punt Audience Award for Best Documentary, and the Crystal Punt Audience Award for Best Short Film.
Cambridge Film Festival is BAFTA recognised.