First Look: Cambridge Film Festival Expands to 11 Days with Star-Studded Premieres and 100+ Films this October
Excitement is in the air! The Cambridge Film Festival returns for its 44th edition this autumn, showcasing 11 days of world-class cinema. The Cambridge Film Festival (CFF) is one of the UK’s most distinctive and longest-running celebrations of cinema, and returning this autumn the festival is promising an extended programme of packed days of world-class film, bold new voices, and unforgettable stories from around the globe.
Running October 23 to November 2, 2025, this year’s Festival will present nearly 100 titles from over 25 countries, including 30+ UK premieres, alongside European and World debuts. Over 50% of the line-up is female-directed, marked with the Festival’s signature F-Rating to champion women filmmakers.
Festival Highlights – Major Names, Bold Voices
This year’s lineup is a captivating blend of groundbreaking debuts, international talent, and acclaimed masters in the art of storytelling! Highlights include:
The Ice Tower – A haunting mystery set in an isolated snowbound facility, starring Marion Cotillard and directed by Lucile Hadzihalilovic. Expect atmosphere, elegance, and enigma.
Bugonia – Yorgos Lanthimo’s twisted, darkly comic sci-fi reimagining of the Korean cult hit Save the Green Planet!, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Expect paranoia, pitch-black absurdity, and Lanthimos’ most anarchic storytelling yet.
Rental Family – Brendan Fraser stars in a soulful Tokyo-set drama from director Hikari and producer Riz Ahmed. A tender look at identity and emotional performance in an increasingly disconnected world.
Alpha – Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau returns with a searing near-future tale of biotech and motherhood, led by the powerful Golshifteh Farahani.
A Private Life – Jodie Foster headlines this suburban mystery from Rebecca Zlotowski, peeling back the private tensions that shape everyday lives.
Environment & Community Strand: Cinema With Purpose
Returning for 2025, this beloved strand examines urgent global and local themes:
- How Deep Is Your Love – A poetic documentary about Britain’s hidden urban nature, directed by Eleanor Mortimer.
- We Live Here – A powerful portrait of resistance and resilience in Kazakhstan, by filmmaker Zhanana Kurmasheva.
Free Family Screenings – a half-term treat
As part of its commitment to accessible cinema, CFF44 offers free morning screenings for families throughout October half-term. Discover animated gems and modern classics including:
- Inside Out 2, Whale Rider, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Parent Trap, and more.
Industry Engagement & Talent Support
In partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the Festival will host the 4th CFF Industry Day, welcoming emerging talent and established creatives for panels, networking, and forward-looking discussions. Expect insights on the future of film, sustainability in cinema, and diversity in storytelling.
Owen Baker, Festival Management Team, said: “We’ve pulled out all the stops this year to deliver an unforgettable 11-day celebration of cinema. From bold premieres to powerful stories that challenge, delight and surprise, this first look is just a taste of what’s to come. We can’t wait to reveal the full programme and welcome audiences back to Cambridge this October.”
The full programme will be announced in late September, with tickets on sale from 1 October via www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk