Visit Bolton

Our film festival is for everybody, not just for industry. There is something on the table for everyone in what we describe as a "Buffet of Film". Whether it's drama, documentary, animation, comedy, horror, sci-fi & fantasy or more specialist genres such as dance, music, experimental or fashion films, you can be confident you'll find something to wet your appetite. We only show short films, but rest assured, they are the best in the world. We are BAFTA & BIFA accredited, which means the films we screen might go on to win BAFTAs. In fact, we've had several that did, and a couple of OSCAR winners too!

You can buy a ticket for just one programme of short films (60 - 90 mins) or you can buy one of our festival passes. If you buy a pass, it's very similar to being at a music festival. You can go where you want and enter each screen to watch as many films as you like without paying anything more. You just need to show your pass (on your phone) to someone on the door. If you want to be certain you get a seat in a screening, you can reserve a seat in advance through the Tickets area.

You can also attend some of our industry talks and events too if you are interested in gaining insights to a career in the creative industries. 

Take a look our ticketing page to learn more about our festival passes and our price ranges and the access we offer. You can even watch online from home too!

This year’s festival boasts an exceptional line-up of speakers:

• Sean McAllister: BAFTA-nominated and Sundance-winning documentary filmmaker, known for pushing the boundaries of documentary filmmaking with works such as Working for the Enemy, The Minders, The Liberace of Baghdad, and Japan: A Story of Love and Hate.

• Mick Audsley: Renowned British film and television editor with over thirty film credits, including The Personal History of David Copperfield, Murder on the Orient Express, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Twelve Monkeys.
   
• Jack Thomas-O'Brien (Producer, Sixteen Films) and Laura Carreira (Director) will share insights on overcoming the challenges of making Laura's debut feature On Falling, which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
   
• Amy O'Hara: Film 4 Development Exec will be in conversation with Grammy and Grierson award-nominated filmmaker Dylan Southern.
   
• BBC Development Executive Simon Nelson will share advice on writing for film and television and developing compelling characters.
   
• Robin Shaw: Emmy, Annecy, and British Animation Award-winning animator, known for Mog’s Christmas, which won the longform prize at the British Animation Awards.
   
• Gina Lyons: Award-winning producer, credited with the BAFTA Cymru-winning pilot In My Skin (2018) and the International Emmy-nominated Dreaming Whilst Black (2021).
   
• BFI Filmmaker Roundtable - An opportunity to meet the BFI team, find out more about funding and career development support they provide, and connect with fellow filmmakers.
   
• Festival Programmers: Varun Raman (London Short Film Festival), Jamie Allen (Sheffield Doc Fest), Isabelle Croissant (Manchester Animation Festival), and MarBelle (Directors Notes) will provide insights into the programming process.
   
• And many more… over 25 industry events across the festival.

Among the films showcased are works featuring esteemed actors, including Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who, The Leftovers), Tamzin Outhwaite (Eastenders), Brod Ní Neachtain (The Banshees Of Inisherin), and many more.

Bolton-born writer and director, Michael Patrick Clarkson (co-creator of BBC’s Red Rose, set in Bolton) also features in the festival this year, with his directorial debut and world premiere of Upholstergeist - a comedy/horror shot at Rivington Barn.

Clarkson said: “Bolton has always been one of my creative playgrounds, so it made sense to shoot my debut short here surrounded by things that inspire me – and it’s so wonderful to have it premiere at BFF.

“Upholstergeist was made with a lot of love by a lot of talented people – the finished product is as beautiful as it is ridiculous.” 

Another local connection is with the Bolton homeless charity, Emmaus, who will be featuring a short film, An Introduction to Emmaus North West, which will air free of charge at a special screening of community films, shown in Market Place Shopping Centre from 1.20pm to 2.50pm on October 5. 

Bolton Film Festival Director, Adrian Barber said: “It’s wonderful to be heading back to The Light Cinema for our eighth edition, we’re proud to be putting on a strong programme for the region in what has been a tough year for arts organisations.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work to get the festival across the line this year which wouldn’t have been possible without our funders and sponsors.

“This year’s line-up brings exceptional films from all around the world to Bolton, spotlighting the next generation of emerging talent in what must be our strongest line up yet.

“Audiences can look forward to an exciting array of films, including selections from prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Berlinale, Sundance, SXSW, and Annecy, as well as numerous premieres of our own starting out on their festival journey.”