Worcester Film Festival returns this September, transforming the city into a hub of cinema, creativity, and community. Across four exciting days, audiences will be treated to independent films from around the world, inspiring industry talks, hands-on workshops, and unmissable special events.
Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a seasoned industry professional, or simply someone who loves the magic of the movies, this year’s programme has something for everyone. From powerful premieres and cult classics to lively networking socials and practical guidance for working in film, Worcester 2025 promises an experience that blends entertainment with opportunity.
To help you get the most out of your festival, here’s your ultimate guide to everything on offer.
What You’ll Find in This Guide:
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What the Worcester Film Festival is all about
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Why BIFA-qualifying status matters
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How to attend (passes, booking, and tickets)
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A day-by-day breakdown of this year’s featured events
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Why the festival atmosphere makes it unmissable
What Is Worcester Film Festival?
Worcester Film Festival has quickly become one of the most exciting young festivals in the UK. Founded to celebrate independent voices, it offers a platform for bold new storytelling and connects audiences with the filmmakers behind the work.
Set across key Worcester venues, from the ODEON cinema screens to The Swan Theatre and the Worcester Whitehouse Hotel, the festival blends cinema-going with industry learning and relaxed social events. It’s a place to discover the films of tomorrow, meet the people who make them, and become part of a community that values creativity and collaboration.
Want a deep-dive on why you should attend our festival? Check out the full article:
How Film Festivals Work: A Guide to Worcester Film Festival
Why Attend and Why BIFA Qualifying Matters
One of the major reasons Worcester has grown in prestige is its BIFA-qualifying status. This means that films selected and screened here are eligible for nomination at the British Independent Film Awards: one of the most respected institutions in UK cinema.
For filmmakers, that’s an incredible opportunity. For audiences, it means that the films shown at Worcester aren’t just any indies — they’re some of the best and most promising titles on the circuit. Attending the festival gives you the chance to see future award-winners before they hit the wider spotlight.
Of course, beyond prestige, there’s the joy of discovery, the buzz of festival energy, and the chance to step into a space where everyone around you shares the same love of cinema. Still not too sure what BIFA means? Check out our deep-dive below:
What Does It Mean to Be BIFA-Qualifying?
How to Attend – Passes and Tickets
Worcester Film Festival has made attending easy with a range of passes to suit different needs. Whether you want to dive in for the full four days or just drop by for a single afternoon, there’s an option for you:
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Festival Pass – The ultimate way to experience Worcester. This all-access pass includes everything (except the Awards Ceremony) from independent films and special presentations to opening/closing night galas, Q&As, workshops, talks, and networking sessions. Plus, enjoy partner discounts and 20% off ODEON food & drink.
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Film Pass – Designed for those who want to focus on the beating heart of the festival: independent cinema. This pass includes all Officially Selected films across Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, along with discounts. Special presentations and previews are separate.
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Day Passes – Can’t commit to the whole festival? Choose a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday pass to enjoy that day’s Officially Selected screenings (and still benefit from ODEON food & drink discounts).
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Awards Ceremony Tickets – Sold separately, this ticket gets you into the prestigious finale at The Swan Theatre.
Once you’ve purchased your pass, don’t forget: all screenings and events require booking through the Festival Schedule. This makes it easy to plan your journey and ensures you won’t miss a thing.
Purchase your passes here, or read our full guide on the different passes.
Featured Events – Day by Day
Now for the heart of it: this year’s featured events. Here’s the full run-down of highlights, in chronological order.
Wednesday 24th September
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Opening Night Film – I Swear
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 7 | 🕕 6:00pm
The festival launches with a preview screening of I Swear, setting the tone for four days of incredible storytelling. Opening night is always a special occasion, where the whole community comes together to celebrate the start of the festival.
Thursday 25th September
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BFI 1-2-1 with Head of BFI Certification Chris Halliday
📍 Worcester Whitehouse Hotel | 🕦 11:30am–3:30pm
A rare chance to meet one-on-one with a senior figure from the BFI. Perfect for filmmakers who want direct insight into certification processes. -
Show Me The Money! – How to Access the UK’s Film Tax Credits
📍 Worcester Whitehouse Hotel | 🕐 1:00pm
An essential session for producers and filmmakers looking to understand the financial backbone of making films in the UK. -
Production Pass Roadshow: Navigating Film and TV Production
📍 Worcester Whitehouse Hotel | 🕑 2:00–4:00pm
Learn the ins and outs of managing film and TV productions with expert advice tailored to today’s industry landscape. -
Pitch Me Perfect with Sasha Damjanovski
📍 Worcester Whitehouse Hotel | 🕓 4:00–6:00pm
A workshop designed to help creatives refine and perfect their pitch — a vital skill for anyone seeking funding or distribution. -
Networking & Film Social with BFI NETWORK and Film Hub Midlands
📍 Spin The Black Circle | 🕖 7:00–11:45pm
The perfect end to the day: a lively social evening to connect, chat, and celebrate cinema with filmmakers and audiences alike. - Thursday is full of shorts, feature films and student submissions, as well as Q&As, so make sure to check out the full schedule.
Friday 26th September
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Casting Workshop with Lucy Carey
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 1 | 🕛 12:15–1:15pm
Learn from casting director Lucy Carey in this hands-on workshop, ideal for both actors and filmmakers. -
Pitch Your Project Workshop
📍 JNCTN | 🕓 4:00–5:45pm
An interactive workshop where filmmakers and creatives can present their projects and receive feedback. Designed to build confidence and provide constructive advice, this session is perfect for those looking to refine their ideas, prepare for funding pitches, or simply test out their concept in a supportive environment. -
Networking & Film Social with JNCTN
📍 Copper Beech | 🕖 7:00–11:45pm
A relaxed evening to meet other filmmakers, industry professionals, and festival-goers. Whether you’re making connections for your next project or just want to share stories over a drink, this social event is a festival highlight. -
Special Presentation – Alien + Talk (Part of our STEM-fi Evening)
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 7 | 🕕 6:00pm
Revisit Ridley Scott’s Alien on the big screen, followed by a fascinating discussion exploring its enduring legacy through a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) lens. -
Preview Screening – Bone Lake (Part of STEM-fi Evening)
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 7 | 🕘 9:00–10:30pm
A late-night screening of Bone Lake, blending mystery and science fiction. This exclusive preview continues the STEM-fi theme, exploring algorithms, AI, and the boundary between technology and humanity. -
Friday has a line-up full of shorts, feature films and student submissions, as well as Q&As, so make sure to check out the full schedule.
Saturday 27th September
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Demystifying Sales & Distribution – Key Dos and Don’ts
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 7 | 🕛 12:15–1:15pm
A must for filmmakers: learn practical strategies to get your film out into the world. -
Feature Presentation – The Way We Speak + Q&A with Better Call Saul’s Patrick Fabian
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 7 | 🕜 1:30–3:00pm
One of the festival’s most anticipated screenings, followed by an in-person Q&A with actor Patrick Fabian — a rare treat for fans. -
Closing Night Film – Islands
📍 ODEON Worcester Screen 7 | 🕕 6:00–8:00pm
A powerful special presentation to close the screening programme in style. -
Awards Ceremony
📍 The Swan Theatre | 🕕 6:00–11:45pm
The grand finale: a red-carpet evening celebrating the incredible filmmakers and films showcased throughout the week.
Why Worcester Film Festival Is Unmissable
Worcester isn’t just about films on screens; it’s about the atmosphere. It’s the buzz before the lights go down, the conversations that spill into the bar, the thrill of meeting someone whose work you’ve just admired on screen. It’s about learning something new in a workshop, making a contact that could shape your career, or simply discovering a film you’ll never forget.
For four days, Worcester becomes a city alive with cinema. If you love film, you belong here.
Ready to Join Us?
Worcester Film Festival 2025 takes place Wednesday 24th – Saturday 27th September across venues in the city. Explore the full programme, book your pass, and start planning your festival journey at worcesterfilmfestival.co.uk