The Birmingham Film Festival is set to take over Millennium Point from November 6–15, 2026, showcasing some of the world’s best independent films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, and TV pilots. With over 1,100 submissions annually and 200 projects selected, the festival continues to be a major platform for emerging filmmakers.
This year’s festival will feature a range of award categories, including Best Film Overall, Best Feature, Best Short, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay, Best Music Video, and awards for cinematography, editing, and production design. Special awards recognize young filmmakers, first-time directors, student films, and Birmingham-based productions, while the Audience Award allows attendees to vote for their favourite screenings.
All screenings and many events at the festival are free to attend, giving the public a chance to experience cutting-edge cinema. The festival also provides networking opportunities for filmmakers, distributors, producers, and film schools, making it a key event for career development in the industry.
Festival CEO Dean Williams and President Kevin McDonagh, along with patrons Steven Knight and Trevor Beattie, lead the organisation, while a Grand Jury of top industry professionals will judge the awards. Filmmakers can also enter their projects into the Birmingham Film Festival Sales List, offering opportunities for distribution deals and sales representation.
Submissions for 2026 opened on January 1, with early bird entries closing February 28, and the final deadline on August 31, 2026. Organizers say the festival continues to combine high-quality programming with opportunities for creative collaboration, making it one of the UK’s top independent film festivals.
