The best film festivals in London

The annual London International Student Film Festival provides exposure and publicity for new filmmakers, as well as professional networking and learning opportunities. All the screened films are under 25 minutes and the director must have been a student at the time of shooting. The festival takes place in Central London.

The London Independent Film Festival focuses on showcasing the work of first- and second-time filmmakers who tell captivating stories despite limited budgets. LIFF is held every spring at the Genesis Cinema, voted among the best cinemas in the UK, and features over 100 filmmakers from around the world, along with industry events for networking and collaboration.

Queer East Festival is a cross-disciplinary festival showcasing boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities. It was established in 2020 to address the lack of East and Southeast Asian representation in the arts, and screens both UK premieres and classic films. A particular highlight is the 'Expanded' programme, which includes screenings at unique locations such as saunas and museums.

Taking place at several cinemas around the capital, the Open City Documentary Festival is dedicated to the art of non-fiction. The festival hosts short-, mid- and feature-length films, cross-platform project and short audio documentaries. It also organises keynotes, networking events, lectures and more. The festival also emphasises equality, diversity and inclusion.

Founded in 2012, the British Animation Film Festival is an annual celebration of the best in British, independent and international animated films. Hosted by the Film Festival Guild, the one-day animation festival will take place at The British Museum and screen a varied selection of works, from short films and music videos to new TV pilots.

The Sundance Film Festival in the US is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Those who can't make it to Utah, however, can instead head to Picturehouse Central, which brings the independent film festival to the West End through a series of screenings, special guests and other events.

Organised by the London branch of the acclaimed international Raindance film school, the Raindance Film Festival is the UK's largest independent film festival, with selected shorts from its programme regularly qualifying for Oscar and BAFTA considerations. Over 16,000 visitors, including 500 industry professionals, converge in the West End each year to enjoy some of the best UK and international independent films. In addition to screenings, the Raindance Film Festival hosts talks, networking events and more.

Launched in 2008, the London Greek Film Festival endeavours to exhibit and endorse contemporary Greek or international films and screenplays that encompass Greek-related elements, such as Greek cast/directors/producers, subject matter, or filming locations in Greece, among others. Additionally, the festival accentuates Greek culture in general, with a focus on contemporary creators, and serves as a global hub for Greek films from all corners of the world.

The London Indian Film Festival showcases entertaining and thought-provoking Indian and South Asian independent new cinema and industry events, making it the largest annual South Asian Film Festival in the UK and Europe. Supported by the Bagri Foundation and British Film Institute, LIFF is held in several UK cities and has a wide reach. The festival features masterclasses, panel discussions, and a short film competition that celebrates new filmmaking talent.

The London Music Video Festival holds paramount significance for both music video creators and enthusiasts. The extensively promoted festival is the sole event in the world that concentrates exclusively on music videos, irrespective of their financial constraints. Even securing a nomination or acceptance into the festival bestows considerable prestige. In addition to the physical event held at the only remaining independent cinema in the West End, the festival also streams the submitted works in a free worldwide online show.

The London Fashion Film Festival is devoted to commemorating the fusion of film and fashion in one of the world's most significant fashion capitals. The festival presents an opportunity to explore the subject matter through an array of lenses, including documentaries, fashion-related films, short fashion films, films influenced by fashion, and movies that have left a mark on the fashion industry.

The free-to-enter British Urban Film Festival has established itself as a pioneering platform for all facets of diversity since first launching in 2005. The festival celebrates filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, screening and supporting films that embrace diversity, inclusivity and equality in their storytelling. The festivals programme includes short, feature and experimental films, including animation.

The British Horror Film Festival is an annual celebration of all things gory, scary, and otherwise horrific. Held at The British Museum, the festival celebrates the horror genre by screening short and feature films, as well as handing out a number of awards, including the audience award for Best Scare.

The BFI London Film Festival, established in 1957 and held in October, is a prominent annual film festival in the UK. With a vast selection of over 240 feature films and 150 short films from 70 countries, the festival showcases both well-known and emerging talents in world cinema while still retaining its festive ambiance. The festival draws in movie stars, the general public and global film professionals, offering opportunities to view films that may not otherwise be available in the UK, along with upcoming releases and gala premieres.

The UK Jewish Film Festival, renowned for its innovation, entertainment value, and provocative themes, is a well-established film festival that takes place in London and other cities, presenting approximately 80 international films at 20 cinemas. The festival prioritises films that reflect Jewish stories and themes, featuring genres such as feature drama, documentary, short films, and experimental works. Many of the screenings are accompanied by additional events, including panel discussions, Q&As with directors, actors, journalists, and others.

Irish Film London, a not-for-profit organisation, delivers the Irish Film Festival London. The multi-day festival showcases the latest and greatest of Irish film, TV, and animation through various mediums, including screenings, Q&As with filmmakers, workshops, industry sessions, exhibitions, and performances. As the festival concentrates on Irish productions, scripts, and casts, it serves as a significant platform for Irish film.

Every November in Central London, the UK Film Festival takes place, showcasing the best of new filmmaking from across the globe. The festival has a strong emphasis on providing a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers who have not yet had the opportunity to screen their work publicly. This dedication to supporting emerging talent has resulted in a track record of championing films that have gone on to receive critical acclaim, including Oscar-winning films such as Stutterer (2015) and Ida (2013).

The London International Animation Festival is an annual event held at the Barbican Centre, featuring a diverse range of animation styles to challenge the common belief that animation is solely for kids. The festival presents thought-provoking and engaging animations from around the globe, including retrospectives and specialised sessions from lesser-known animators and countries. The event aims to promote the art of animation and expand the perception of the medium.

A newish genre festival in the UK, the Soho Horror Film Festival aims to scare the living daylights out of you with a programme of some of the most terrifying independent films out there. The eclectic mix of films from around the world showcases the breadth and depth of horror cinema. In addition to a physical event in November, the Soho Horror Film Festival organises Horror Pride, the largest online LGBTQIA+ horror celebration in the world, every June.

Established with the purpose of finding, showcasing and delivering opportunities for talented indie filmmakers from around the world, London Lift-Off Film Festival is the premier destination for highlighting the best in true independent filmmaking. The month-long event includes both screenings and networking events, hands out audience-choice awards, helps authors reach distributors, and also shows select works throughout its global film festival network.

The Super Shorts Film Festival London is an annual event that showcases independent short film talent and has won praise from the likes of Rupert Grint. The festival aims to create an intimate atmosphere for filmmakers, fans, critics, and producers to explore new cinematic styles and techniques, award excellence, and watch films from novices and veterans with medium and low budgets from around the world.

London Film Week is a film festival held in December, with the aim of promoting international cinema from British, European and global territories. The festival's goal is to exceed expectations and provide a premium experience for the audience, film professionals and partners. London Film Week is unique in its approach, featuring only a few films and artists in order to give each selected project the spotlight it deserves.

The London-Worldwide Comedy Short Film Festival showcases short comedy films from around the world to a discerning London audience. Curated by a team with many years of experience in promoting comedy shows, festivals and films both in the UK and abroad, the much-loved festival presents the best up-and-coming comedy filmmaking, handing out a variety of awards for outstanding films in different genres and from different geographical locations.

Across ten days each January, the London Short Film Festival hosts film screenings, live events, panels, workshops and more, presenting from 250 to 500 British and international films. Held at various venues around London, the London Short Film Festival has highlighted a multiplicity of independent filmmakers, visual artists and creatives for more than 20 years.

BFI Future Film Festival is dedicated to young filmmakers aged 16 to 25, in fiction, animation and documentary genres alike. Held each February at BFI Southbank, the festival was launched in 2008 and provides emerging creatives and audiences not just with film screenings, but also with workshops, masterclasses, panels and other events. Each year, the festival also awards prizes to talented filmmakers in ten categories.

The Crystal Palace International Film Festival is an annual event held in South East London since 2009. It features the best independent films from around the world, with a diverse program of genres and screenings in unique venues with great food and drinks. The festival has gained a reputation for being cool and attracting top comedians, with established filmmakers commenting on the high quality of films selected. The festival's mission is to showcase innovative work by global and local filmmakers and promote independent cinema to the public.

The South London Film Festival was born out of a passion for encouraging creativity and a belief that every film watched shapes the future of the industry and the world around it. The festival welcomes filmmakers from both inside and outside the UK, promoting and celebrating their films within the diverse multicultural communities of South London.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme, the UK's largest festival of Japanese cinema, is an annual touring festival that has been organised by the Japan Foundation since 2004. The festival visits cinemas in 30 UK cities during its run, starting with London. Each year, the programme showcases noteworthy Japanese films that haven't yet had the opportunity to be screened in the UK.

Running for over two decades, the Kinoteka Polish Film Festival presents the diversity of Polish film-making through an extensive curated programme. Taking place at multiple London venues, the festival features works by contemporary Polish auteurs and classics alike, ranging from acclaimed dramas, documentaries, and family films to short films, VR, AR and AI works, and more. The festival lasts from early to late March.

Each spring, BFI Flare celebrates queer cinema over multiple days at the BFI Southbank cinema. The festival features the best new LGBTQIA+ cinema from around the world, as well as workshops, panels, DJ nights and other events for the general public and industry professionals alike. All of the screenings, including the gala premieres, are held at BFI Southbank, though certain films are also available online via the BFI Player.

Part of the Doc.World global film festival network, Doc.London is a new annual documentary film festival that welcomes all forms of documentary filmmaking, especially those that transcend boundaries and move fluidly between different styles. The carbon-neutral festival screens films by authors from around the world, showcasing innovative indie cinema that invites audiences to learn and ponder.