Birmingham Film Festival Returns for Its 11th Edition, Offering Free Screenings and Industry Events Across 10 Days

The Birmingham Film Festival (BFF) is proud to announce its 11th annual edition, a 10-day international celebration of film that brings together local and global talent for free public screenings and a programme of professional events.

Running throughout November, the festival showcases a diverse selection of professional and independent films submitted by filmmakers from around the world. Works span a wide range of genres, budgets, styles and subjects, and will be presented free of charge at Millennium Point’s 350-seat OmniPlex cinema. Tickets and the full screening schedule are available via the festival website.

Programme Highlights

The festival opens with a full-day Film & TV Conference and Seminar Day on 6 November. The day begins with a networking morning, followed by a series of seminars led by expert panels and industry guests. Designed to provide practical insight and career development opportunities, day passes are available on the festival website. The seminar day is followed by a free Launch Party, welcoming festival delegates and VIPs to mark the official start of the 11th edition.

Screenings continue throughout the festival. Among the highlights is Wrath of the Gods, the concluding chapter of the iconic Wicker Man Trilogy. Directed by Justin Hardy and co-written by Dominic Hardy, the film was discovered in the attic of their late father, Robin Hardy (director of The Wicker Man and The Wicker Tree), and completed in his memory. This folk-horror work explores themes of pagan worship and sacrifice as a grieving widow lays her husband to rest, children begin to disappear, and an island confronts its past.

In addition to screenings at Millennium Point, the festival expands to Sutton Soldfield, Dudley and South Birmingham with a selection of mostly local films.

And going further afield, a special programme on Wednesday 11 November at Showcase Cinema de Lux Coventry from 8pm. The British horror-punk feature Rise of the Rats, directed by Stephen Roach and written by Robert Howgate. The film follows punk rebel Kayla as she confronts a dark uprising in an English village plagued by secrets, lies and bloodthirsty rats, blending 1980s-inspired horror, dark humour and rebellious energy. Free tickets for the Coventry screening are available at bff26blocks.eventbrite.co.uk.

Additional events include a dedicated Student Night on 13 November. The festival culminates on 14 November with the Gala Awards Night. The evening features entertainment, prize giveaways and a three-course meal, followed by the announcement of this year’s award winners, as selected by the festival’s panel of expert judges and through the Audience Choice Award. Nominees include Hannah Walters (executive producer on Netflix’s Adolescence) for Best Actress.

Now in its eleventh year, the Birmingham Film Festival continues to grow in scale and reputation, offering audiences free access to exceptional cinema while providing filmmakers and industry professionals with valuable networking and educational opportunities.

For full details, screening schedules, ticket information and event passes, visit the official Birmingham Film Festival website.