Cine International Film Festival
9th - 11th Sep 2026
CIFF PROGRAMME
2026
Wednesday 9th Sep
SHORTS - Opening Day
Part 1
13:00 - 15:00
FAR FROM THE PLAINS, Dir. Luigi Sibona
THE PEARL COMB, Dir. Ali Cook
DOWN THE LENGTH, Dir. Milo Edwards
MY HAIR, Dir. Alison Loeb, Sam Guncler
NOIR, Dir. Charlene Wango
EAST SEVENTEEN, Dir. Ella Taylor Bliss
SOUL BIRD, Dir. Tobias Kampmann
SHORTS - Opening Day
Part 2
15:30 - 16:30
THE INTIMACY CO-ORDINATOR, Dir. Louisa Connolly-Burnham
FUNERAL CAR, Dir. Sam Gannie
GERONTO, Dir. Mark Pluck
Opening Panel and Press
Arrive 16:30
Panel 17:00- 18:00
The future of independent film making.
Q&A
Panel lead by:
Kirsty Bell
Award-winning filmmaker and Founder & CEO of Goldfinch, and co- founder of Dreamtown. Kirsty Bell is an acclaimed producer and director known for championing emerging talent, international collaboration and innovative storytelling across film, television and the creative industries.
Ben Charles Edwards
An award-winning British filmmaker and co-founder of Dreamtown Entertainment and CIFF. Renowned for his distinctive voice across independent cinema and elevated genre storytelling, he has written and directed internationally recognised features while championing bold British filmmaking and the next generation of creative talent.
Opening Gala
Don't Forget Me:
Eddie Cochran
9th Sep. 18:15 Vue Piccadilly
Dir. Kirsty Bell
US & UK, 98 min
Eng
The first official documentary on rock 'n' roll pioneer Eddie Cochran, made with the Cochran estate. Featuring rare archive footage and testimony from music icons, it charts his meteoric rise, untimely death at 21, and lasting legacy.
Thursday 10th Sep
Shorts - World Edition & Commonwealth
Arrival 10:00
Screening 10:30 - 12:30
RUN OUTS, Dir. Dhillon Shukla
CELEBRATING TCHAIKOVSKY, Dir. Mariam Majid
SNIPPED, Dir. Alexander Saul
VOYAGE OF THE HANDALA, Dir.
Jim Koenigsaecker, Tom Hayes
WHAT IS COMMON ABOUT THE WEALTH?, Dir. Curmiah Lisette
REMEMBER MY NAME, Dir. Sascha Kempinski, Kirsten Skytte
KILN, Dir. Sanee Raval
BREAKS, Dir. Christina Yianni
MY FRIEND SONGZHI, Dir. Xia Fan
Commonwealth Panel
Arrival 13:00
Panel 13:30 - 14:30
This discussion explores how the Commonwealth's creative industries can drive cultural exchange, economic growth and international collaboration. Bringing together leaders from the Commonwealth Foundation and Commonwealth Writers, the panel will examine the opportunities, challenges and future of storytelling, publishing and the creative economy across the Commonwealth.
Speakers
Razmi Farook
Director-General, Commonwealth Foundation
Razmi Farook leads the Commonwealth Foundation, championing the role of culture, creativity and civil society in strengthening democracy, inclusion and sustainable development across the Commonwealth.
Emma D'Costa
Programme Officer, Commonwealth Writers.
Emma D'Costa supports the Commonwealth Writers programme, developing initiatives that nurture emerging literary talent, promote diverse voices and foster cross-cultural storytelling throughout the Commonwealth.
Janet Steel
Programme Manager, Commonwealth Writers. Janet Steel manages the Commonwealth Writers programme, overseeing projects and partnerships that celebrate writers from across the Commonwealth while expanding opportunities for collaboration, publishing and audience engagement.
The Hook
10th Sep. Arrival 16:00
Screening 16:30-18:08
Dir. Thomas David Beatty
United Kingdom, 98 min
Eng
A family band. 3 burnt out brothers, an undervalued sister, a cornucopia of addictions, oversized ego's, murderous resentments, delusions of grandeur, washed out morals and rapidly fading success culminates in a whirlwind dark comedy.
THE LAST ROOM IN HANOI Premiere
10th Sep. Arrival 18:15
Screening 18:45-20:09
Dir. Coz Greenop
United Kingdom, 84 min
Eng
The Last Room in Hanoi is a dark, romantic drama that delves into the depths of grief, love, and loss. Aron, a young, disillusioned writer, travels through Vietnam in search of inspiration after the death of his wife. Amidst the vibrant chaos of Hanoi, Aron begins to write his wife back into existence, desperately clinging to the memory of the woman he lost.
Friday 11th Sep
Shorts - LAUGHING IN THE DARK
Arrival 10:00
Screening 10:30 - 12:30
A HAND TO HOLD, Dir. Philip Clyde-Smith
TRUCKLOAD, Dir. Aella Jordan-Edge
THE BIRTH OF A MALL GOTH, Dir. Samantha Locock
WELL-BEING, Dir. Kevin McNally
ON THE TWELTH DAY OF FINDOM, Dir. Caitlin Black, Joanne Thomson
ONLY IN NYC, Dir. Nicky Arezu Akmal
WHAT GOES AROUND, Dir. Edie Deffebach
BACK CHAT, Dir. Joe Seligman
CUT SHORT, Dir. Olz McCoy
Alliotts Media Panel
Featuring Ian Gibbon
Arrival 13:00
Panel 13:30 - 14:30
Alliotts LLP is an independent mid-tier firm of professional advisors. We’ve actively advised the industry for almost 60 years, working with independents, classic British productions, Bollywood films, and Oscar winning blockbusters.
Ian leads Alliotts’ Media team. He has 40 years experience looking after film, TV and animation productions. He’s also a qualified corporate finance specialist and has been involved in over 200 deals; start ups, fund raising, acquisitions and sales. With this insight Ian helps his media clients achieve their goals.
A-Men To That
11th Sep. Arrival 14:30
Screening 15:00-16:23
Dir. Rafael John Edholm Borchies
Sweden, 84 min
Eng & Swedish / Eng Sub
When three washed-up male models form a "man-band" to reclaim their fading glory, they embark on a riotous, offbeat journey of self-discovery, friendship, and mid-life crises, culminating in a chaotic battle for musical relevance.
Award Ceremony