In association with Arts University Bournemouth

BIFF 2026 Launch Event

A One-Night Cinema Experience: Kes + Live Q&A + Panel

Start your weekend with something a little different.

Join us for a special launch night for AUB and Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026, a one-night cinema experience that goes beyond just watching a film.

Kes isn’t just a film, it’s one of those rare stories that changes how you see people, place, and possibility. For many, it’s a first experience of British cinema that feels real, raw, and recognisable.

Following a young boy growing up in a working-class Yorkshire town, Kes captures a voice and perspective that is increasingly missing from modern film. At a time when working-class representation on screen has significantly declined, its themes feel more relevant than ever.

This is your chance to experience it the way it was meant to be seen. On the big screen, in a room full of people, where every moment lands differently.

This isn’t streaming. This is cinema as a shared experience.

After the screening, the experience continues:

• 🎤 Live Q&A
• 🧠 Panel discussion exploring the film’s themes, impact, and relevance today
• 🥂 Drinks and networking, turning the night into a social, shared experience

You don’t just watch the film. You hear from the people who work in film, reflect on it, and be part of the conversation.

Ticket Options

1. Screening Only – £14.99 + booking fee
A complete night out: screening, Q&A, panel, and post-event atmosphere

2. Screening + Earlybird Festival Pass – £45.99 + booking fee
Includes:

• Full launch event experience
• 🎫 2-Day BIFF Festival Pass (9–10 October 2026)
  (Earlybird bundle saving vs £59.98 combined price)
• 🎫Please note Palace Court Theatre is currently not accessible to motorised or electronic wheelchairs

Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026

🗓 9–10 October 2026 | 📍 Multiple Venues Bournemouth Town Square

Be part of the South Coast’s boldest celebration of film, storytelling, and creative talent. BIFF is a two-day cultural event featuring screenings, workshops, industry talks, networking, and a black-tie awards night.

Whether you're a filmmaker, a film lover, or simply curious, BIFF offers something for everyone, all set against the backdrop of one of the UK’s most vibrant coastal cities.

What to Expect at BIFF:

• UK and international short and feature film screenings
• Industry panels and creative workshops
• Filmmaker networking and Q&As
• Screenwriting competitions
• Festival bar and social spaces
• BIFF Black Tie Awards Night & After Party

As a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, every ticket sold supports our mission: to empower first-time filmmakers, amplify underrepresented voices, and grow Bournemouth’s creative industries

Secure your place at the launch and be part of a festival shaping the future of independent film.

PLEASE NOTE:
Launch event and screenings are age 16+
Awards Night is strictly 18+