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.
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.
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.
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.
