From Animation to the Great Outdoors: Discover Wales’ 40 Film Festivals

May 2025

Did you know that Wales is home to 40 festivals of all shapes and sizes? Many of these are dedicated to film, or have regular film offers. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker looking for a place to launch your next short, or you’re an avid cinema goer seeking out the best new films, our Welsh festivals have you covered.

At Film Hub Wales, we work with film festivals, helping them to bring the best UK independent and international films to Welsh communities year-round. Festivals play a crucial role in film chain. They showcase new talent, often helping them to secure sales agents and distribution deals – reaching new audiences at home and across the world. They’re also known for special events, unique and bold film choices that audiences might not see elsewhere and a place for industry and the public to come together.

Group of people sat on chairs on stage in front of a cinema screen in front of an audience.
Iris Prize Festival. Credit – Jon Pountney

So what festivals are waiting to be discovered on your doorstep in Wales? Well, there are at least 40 (that we know of) and this doesn’t include the many more touring events that pop-up in cinemas during the year and wider arts festivals that occasionally screen films. 34 of these are specifically Welsh events and 6 are UK or international events that tour to Wales.

Many of the festivals have unique themes (20 that we count) such as the SeeMôr Film Festival which explores all things coast and sea in Anglesey, there’s Cardiff Animation Festival and Kotatsu Japanese Animation festival, or for the thrill seekers there’s Abertoir International Horror Festival – which is about to celebrate its 20th year in 2025.

A group of people smiling and posing for the camera.
Watch-African Festival at Chapter Cardiff Credit – Wambui Gathee

Various festivals offer dedicated support for new talent such as Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, Cardiff Mini Film Festival and Focus Wales. For young audiences there’s Wicked Wales and The Children’s International Film Festival of Wales. Phew, we can keep going? For the best new local and global films there’s Wales One World, for a taste of Africa there’s the Watch-Africa Film Festival, Hijinx Unity Festival celebrates disabled, learning disabled and/or autistic artists and our largest film festival in Wales, Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is home to the largest short film prize in the world. We’re spoilt for choice, right?

As well as a great place to discover new films, if you’re starting out in the film industry and looking for volunteering opportunities, festivals are a brilliant place to learn new skills and make contacts.

"Dotty" the Cardiff Animation Festival mascot on a table in front of workers at the festival.
Cardiff Animation Festival

Around 50% of the festivals currently take place in the South East of Wales, with the other 50% in North, East and West of the country. Many offer online events alongside their in-person programmes, as we know getting there can be a challenge.

To help with this we’ve put together a full list and a map to help you see exactly where and when each festival takes place. We’ll also be highlighting upcoming festivals monthly on our socials, in case you need a reminder, as well as where you can find your nearest cinema, film club or community screen.

If you run a film festival and you’re not listed below and would like to be added (or you would like to be removed from this list), please get in touch with us. Film Festivals in Wales can also become a member of Film Hub Wales for free and apply for audience development funding as well as accessing training, networking and advice.

 

Download the Press Release

Please note festival dates may change. Please check the festival website for the latest information.

For more information, please contact:

About Film Hub Wales
Film Hub Wales (FHW) celebrates cinema. We support organisations that screen film, from film festivals, to societies and mixed arts centres. Working with over 300 Welsh exhibitors, we aim to bring the best UK and international film to all audiences across Wales and the UK. Since Film Hub Wales set up in 2013, we’ve supported over 347 exciting cinema projects, reaching over 589,000 audience members.

We’re part of a UK wide network of eight hubs which forms the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Audience Network (FAN), made possible thanks to National Lottery funding. Film Hub Wales is managed by Chapter. We also lead Made in Wales, a project celebrating films with Welsh connections. We were also proud to lead on the UK inclusive cinema strategy on behalf of BFI FAN 2017-23.

Film Hub Wales: Website, X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram
Made in Wales: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Made in Wales podcast, YouTube, Letterboxd.

About the BFI Film Audience Network
Supported by National Lottery funding, the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), is central to the BFI’s aim to ensure the greatest choice of film is available for everyone. Established in 2012 to build wider and more diverse UK cinema audiences for British and international film, FAN is a unique, UK-wide collaboration made up of eight Hubs managed by leading film organisations and venues strategically placed around the country. FAN also supports talent development with BFI NETWORK Talent Executives in each of the English Hubs, with a mission to discover and support talented writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers.

BFI FAN Film Hubs are:

  • Film Hub Midlands is led by Broadway, Nottingham working in partnership with the Birmingham-based Flatpack
  • Film Hub North is led collectively by Showroom Workstation, Sheffield and HOME Manchester
  • Film Hub South East is led by the Independent Cinema Office
  • Film Hub South West is led by Watershed in Bristol
  • Film Hub Scotland is led by Glasgow Film Theatre
  • Film Hub Northern Ireland is led by Queen’s University Belfast
  • Film Hub Wales is led by Chapter in Cardiff
  • Film Hub London is led by Film London

Website

About the BFI
We are a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:

  • To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
  • To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
  • To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals – delivered online and in venue
  • To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
  • To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt.

Website, Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter)

About Chapter
Set up by artists in 1971, Chapter is an international centre for contemporary arts and culture. We are a hub for the production and presentation of world-class, inventive and compelling work. Our gallery commissions and produces exhibitions of the very best in national and international art. Our theatre spaces are a platform for experimental and thought-provoking work. Our cinemas offer independent and challenging films alongside a range of unique festivals and events, and we bring more films, to more people, in more places through Film Hub Wales.

Alongside the core programme, we are also home to 56 artists and creative companies who are based in our studios. From award-winning animators and film production companies to artists, designers and photographers, and bespoke art framers, print and recording studios, the creative community are at the heart of everything that we do.

Our programme and community collide in the award-winning Caffi Bar that seats around 120 people and is a great place to meet up with friends, find a quiet spot to work away from home, or tuck-in to a tasty plate of freshly prepared, locally sourced food and drink from our extensive menu.

Website, Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram

 

 

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