The first ever Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF), took place at the Hilton Bournemouth in the UK on 3rd and 4th October 2025. Officially opened by acclaimed actor and Festival Patron, Christopher Eccleston, the festival was attended by a ‘who’s who’ of emerging international, national and local talent. Over 300 filmmakers, film fans and film students attended from the UK and overseas, who watched 62 films, attended 14 industry workshops, and congratulated over 50 award winners at the concluding black-tie awards night.
Over 50 awards were presented at the black-tie awards night to filmmakers at different stages of their career, from local Arts University Bournemouth film student, Em Robinson for her film Hand Bag, to BAFTA and EMMY award-winning director Ian Curtis for Hide. In addition to the best film awards, accolades were also presented for best editing, best sound, best composer and original score, best cinematographer and best short script.
Festival Director, Steve McCarten, said “The festival was a resounding success. The feedback was excellent, with some attendees saying that it was the best-run film festival they’d been to this year and the most welcoming. I am absolutely thrilled by the amazing support and attendance at the first ever Bournemouth International Film Festival! The awards night was completely sold out, with standing room only, with many other film sessions and talks were also sold out. It was more than a festival: it was the beginning of a long-term cultural investment in our region, helping to put a spotlight on the emerging film scene here in Bournemouth, whilst recognising emerging brilliant local, national and international work.”
Steve went on to say “We’ve had amazing support from the local community, from local sponsors Chine Financial and Adventure Attractions, to around 50 volunteers helping out at the festival, including freshers’ students who just started their courses here two weeks ago, to local business people and residents. Thank you to everyone who was a part of the festival – we couldn’t have done this without you!”
Over 175 submissions were judged by an award-winning line-up of industry judges, with 55 awards handed out to deserving winners at the sold-out black-tie awards night. Some of the big winners were:
- Best student film: Hand Bag, directed by Em Robinson (one of 3 wins)
- Best UK Animation: If I Raised My Mother, directed by Bhavna Madan Mohan (one of 4 wins)
- Best documentary short: More Like Paul, directed by Damian Sciberras (one of 3 wins)
- Best documentary feature: Y Crwydryn, directed by Rhys Edwards (one of 5 wins)
- Best international short: Blood Like Water, directed by Dima Hamdan (one of 4 wins)
- Best international feature: Seems Like Love, directed by Yana Klimova-Yusupova (one of 5 wins)
- Best genre short: The Lace, directed by Nicole Sarah Fry, Julian Butterworth (one of 4 wins)
- Best genre director and cinematography: The Pearl Comb, directed by Ali Cook
- Best UK short film: Hide, directed by Ian Curtis (one of 6 wins)
- Best UK feature film: The Caretaker (one of 3 wins)
- Best short script: Walk By
- Best local filmmaker: The Lace, directed by Nicole Sarah Fry, Julian Butterworth
- Best social impact short film documentary: Bluff, directed by Naomi Wright
- Best social impact feature film documentary: Quiet on Set, directed by Mark Forbes
- Audience choice award: Paranoyya, directed by Mike Glover
- Jury Prize: Hide, directed by Ian Curtis
The judges were very impressed with the quality of the submissions and provided these comments on the films:
“Y Crwydryn is a poignant meditation on mortality, masculinity, friendship, and music, with beautifully directed set pieces and strong cinematography. The bond between the central character and his friend is captured with real tenderness.”
“Hide is a superbly crafted film with an outstanding lead performance from Niamh Blackshaw.”
“If I Raised My Mother is a really beautiful film. The script is both clever and deeply touching, with an emotional resonance that stays with you. I especially admire the styling and the subtlety of the character animation, it brings such authenticity and warmth to the story. The beautiful soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, adding another layer of depth and emotion. A thoughtful, moving piece of work.”
For a full list of all the winners of each of the 55 categories, please visit https://bournemouthfilmfest.co.uk