Chester International Film Festival returns in March
The 39th Chester International Film Festival will return to Storyhouse in March, bringing 10 days of international cinema to the city centre venue.
The 2026 festival runs from Friday 13 March to Sunday 22 March at Storyhouse.
Tickets are now on sale, with discounts available for those booking two or more events at the same time.
The annual event is delivered in partnership with Chester Film Society and University of Chester.
The festival has been based at Storyhouse’s Hunter Street site since 2018.
Organisers say the programme aims to showcase contemporary independent cinema from around the world, with films from countries including Italy, Japan, North Macedonia and Brazil, alongside productions from the United Kingdom.
This year’s Official Selection includes 14 preview screenings competing for an Audience Award, which will be announced at the end of the festival. Some screenings will be introduced by guest speakers from the University of Chester.
The festival opens on 13 March with a drinks reception and a screening of DJ Ahmet, a comedy set in North Macedonia about a 15-year-old boy who finds refuge in music.
On 14 March, the Chester Animation Festival marks its 12th edition with a programme of animated short films from six countries.
The same day will also feature Rose of Nevada and the Italian film Primavera.
Other highlights include Game on 15 March, followed by a question and answer session with director John Minton and co-writer Rob Williams, and La Grazia, directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
A screening of The Stranger, based on Albert Camus’ 1962 novella, takes place on 16 March.
The following evening features Northern Exposure, a short film showcase presented by Film Hub North, and Orphan, set in Budapest after the 1956 Hungarian uprising.
On 18 March, Anna Clayfield, senior lecturer in Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Chester, will introduce Romeria.
Later that evening there will be a 40th anniversary screening of David Lynch’s Blue Velvet.
A free screening of the Oscar-winning British film Chariots of Fire will be held on 19 March in honour of Chester Film Society founding member Derek Smith, who died last September. The same day also includes Orwell 2+2=5, directed by Raoul Peck, and German film Miroirs No.3.
The Blue Trail, set in the Brazilian Amazon, will be shown on 20 March, followed by Japanese film Exit 8.
On 21 March, a Student Showcase will present eight short films created by young filmmakers from the North West of England and North Wales. Screenings that day also include Our Land and Colours of Time.
The festival closes on 22 March with Iron Ladies, a documentary about the 1984 miners’ strike, followed by a live Q&A with its director and one of the women featured in the film. The final screening will be Father Mother Sister Brother, which won the Golden Lion at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
Susanne Hodder, of Chester Film Society, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Chester International Film Festival back for another year, hosted at Storyhouse and in partnership with the University of Chester.
“The festival is a fundamental part of our commitment to bring world cinema to Chester, inviting audiences to discover inspiring films from diverse cultures and voices from across the world. We can’t wait to share these unique stories with audiences and create an experience that connects our community through film.”
Storyhouse head of cinema Nicky Beaumont added: “We’ve been honoured to work with Chester Film Society to host the annual international film festival at Storyhouse since 2018, and more recently to partner with the University of Chester on this long running festival.
“Chester International Film Festival is a highlight in our calendar, spotlighting films from around the world and bringing them to audiences at Storyhouse.”
Storyhouse Cinema is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.
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