Cheltenham International Film Festival

About

The Cheltenham International Film Festival (CIFF) will take place 13 – 22 September 2024

CIFF celebrates its 6th anniversary in 2024 and will continue to bring the best of world cinema to its thriving audience through films that question, inspire, entertain; through documentaries that raise issues and inform; through film shorts by filmmakers new to the industry; and through tributes to recognise the contributions of celebrated artists to the legacy of great cinema.

The festival will be based at Cineworld in The Brewery Quarter, in the heart of Cheltenham’s entertainment district.

The programme for 2024 will be announced in August. For more information visit - cheltfilm.com

What can you expect from the Cheltenham International Film Festival 2024?

IN COMPETITION

Three years ago, CIFF reinforced its support for emerging filmmakers with the introduction of In Competition from which a jury selects BEST FILM.  The jury is always composed of personalities and professionals from film, television, the arts and media. In 2023 the jury was led by Chair of BAFTA, Sara Putt, to add prestige to their award.

FILM PROGRAMME                                                                                                                                                                      

The 2023 programme of 35/40 films covered issues of social relevance through narrative and well constructed drama which impact on society today including: migration and immigration, cost of living, crime and punishment, war. While a common theme ran through some of the films, each story was different, every director’s approach is unique, humanising subjects of consequence in a way that is sometimes endearing, sometimes painful but always engaging. The CIFF 2024 shall also premiere, preview, screen films about people, life, relationships, coming of age films, period dramas and comedies.

MEET THE FILMMAKER AND MORE                                                                                                                                               

It is the intention of CIFF in 2024 to bring added life to film screenings by inviting filmmakers, cast and guests from politics, diplomacy, the media to discuss and debate films and issues they raise with their audience.

COUNTRY in FOCUS                                                                                                                                                                                  

Every year “Country in Focus” highlights the work of directors – new and established – who best represent their country’s film industry. In 2023, Spain was the CIFF “Country in Focus”. A programme of Spanish films were shown, including On The Fringe with Penelope Cruz.

ANNIVERSARIES                                                                                                                                                                           

In 2022 CIFF launched anniversary films, screening The Crying Game and Nosferatu. In 2023, the festival marked the 25th anniversary of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels directed by Guy Ritchie and the 60th of Lord The Flies, plus others. 

LIVE EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                                  

TRIBUTE                                                                                                                                                                                       

In 2023 the CIFF paid tribute to Sir Stephen Frears to recognise his contribution to the legacy of great cinema with a body of work that has stood  the test of time. 

CELEBRATE                                                                                                                                                                                                       

In 2022, CIFF celebrated the career of Dame Judi Dench with “An afternoon with Dame Judi” in front of a live audience. The CIFF team hope to announce the name of the actor/actress to be ‘CELEBRATED’ in 2024 soon. 

TELEVISION                                                                                                                                                                                    

In 2023 the CIFF introduced television to the programme to recognise the contribution made by television – terrestrial and streaming – to the enjoyment of millions of people around the world, recognising what has gone in the past and screen previews /premieres of new series with guest producers, directors, writers and cast.                             

IN CONVERSATION                                                                                                                                                                   

Every year the CIFF selects a hallmark guest for their “In conversation with……” in front of a live audience.  Watch this space for details coming soon for 2024.