42nd Cambridge Film Festival 2023 Report: A Celebration of Diversity, Innovation, and Community in Film

42 nd CambridgE
Film FEstival
REport
#cff42
2023 LovE thE CambridgE Film
FEstival
ConnEct with grEat
films

CambridgE Film FEstival 2023
2023: A YEAR
OF GROWTH &
COLLABORATION
THE
PROGRAMMING
PANEL
Following our 2022 mission to enhance the Cambridge Film Festival (CFF) with a focus on diversity and
collaboration, the 2023 Festival aimed to build on this foundation for further growth and sustainability.
Our goal was to ensure the Festival's longevity, enabling it to thrive for years to come.
We focused on offering a compelling film programme that resonates with our audience and amplifies
our support for filmmakers. This year, we expanded the CFF Industry Day, offering more insights and
opportunities for professionals. The Youth Lab grew in response to demand, providing a platform for
young talent to engage and learn. Moreover, we increased our showcase of first-time filmmakers in the
ShortFusion strand, presenting over 35 debut works.
CFF42 was a key event for engaging with great films, networking with creative minds, and gaining
insights into the UK film industry, continuing to balance great film selections with industry support.
DivErsity
Embracing diversity remains pivotal for the Cambridge Film Festival (CFF) to flourish. In 2023, we
focused on assembling a truly diverse Programming Panel, working collaboratively and setting clear
diversity goals for our programme.
The Programming Panel's inclusive approach and commitment to diversity are key achievements for
CFF42. We ensured the panel was diverse and continued our commitment to a 50/50 ratio of Male,
Female, and Non-Binary filmmakers within the Festival programme. Additionally, we set internal
targets to include more films from Black and Global Majority Filmmakers and to highlight films with
strong LGBTQI+ narratives, addressing conscious and unconscious biases in the industry.

CFF YOUTH LAB:
SPOTLIGHT ON
YOUNG TALENT
Youth Lab
Film Education
FuturE of thE
FEstival: Youth
Lab's Impact
Youth Focus
a youth-lEd initiative for
thosE agEd 16-24, focused
on Education and carEEr
support
The Cambridge Film Festival's Youth Lab took centre stage in 2023, emphasising education and
empowering the next generation of filmmakers and industry professionals.
Highlighting its significance, the Youth Lab presents the Youth Lab Jury Award for the best feature
during the Festival. This year, the programme expanded its reach, offering regular film discussion
groups, workshops, networking events, and presentations by industry professionals.
The Youth Lab at the Cambridge Film Festival continues to be a cornerstone for nurturing the next
generation within the film industry. Beyond fostering film knowledge and industry connections,
the programme significantly boosts self-confidence among participants. Over 80% of our Youth Lab
alumni have transitioned into employment or higher education in the film sector.
At CFF42, this impact was underscored as our Short Film Programmer, Submissions Coordinator, and
Programming Panel Lead were all past Youth Lab participants.
Youth Lab champions inclusivity, actively seeking participants from diverse backgrounds, including
those with disabilities, from minority communities, or those facing disadvantages.

uilding a homE in CambridgE
CFF Industry
Day 2023: A NEw
ChaptEr
CFF Industry Day
in NumbErs
189 ACCREDITATIONS
for filmmakErs
754 SESSION ADMISSIONS
Building on the success of the inaugural CFF Industry Day in 2022, the second edition in 2023 marked
an evolution of this cornerstone event. We continued to enrich the day's offerings in partnership with
Film Hub South East, BFI Network, and Anglia Ruskin University.
AttEndEE AGE RangE
40%
AttEndEE Ethnicity
34% White British
The 2023 CFF Industry Day not only retained the welcoming and vibrant atmosphere that made the
first edition a hit but also introduced a range of new talks and workshops addressing the latest trends
and challenges in the UK film industry. Attendance and engagement saw a notable increase, with more
sign-ups and participants than the previous year, underscoring the day's growing importance as a hub
for networking, collaboration, and discussion.
Industry Day is the foundation of our commitment to breaking down barriers between filmmakers,
professionals, and audiences, fostering a productive and inclusive environment at the Festival.
30%
20%
10%
0%
16-19 20-24 25-30 31-34 35-39 40-49 50-59
32% White Other
14% Asian/Asian British
9% Mixed/multiple ethnic backgrounds
7% Other ethnic origin
4% Black/African/Caribbean/Black British

films
family
Amazing films
for CambridgE in
2023
ThE Family
Film FEstival
REturned
Family Fun
bringing thE much lovEd
Family Film FEstival back
for 2023
With morning screenings during the half-term holiday, the Cambridge Family Film Festival has always
been a hit with both children and parents alike. We we were thrilled that , after a short break, we were
able to not only bring back the Family Film Festival but also make all screenings entirely free of charge.
The Festival was enriched with craft workshops and activities, and we were especially proud to reach
a broader audience than ever by partnering with organisations to invite groups of children from
disadvantaged backgrounds to the cinema.

At a glancE
CambridgE Film
FEstival 2023 at
a glancE
At A GlancE
An incrEdiblE
AudiEncE of Film
LovErs
52 FEATURES
116 FILM
INTRODUCTIONS
36 SHORT FILMS
57 VOLUNTEERS
7,605 ADMISSIONS
8,000 PRINTED
FESTIVAL BROCHURES
33 COUNTRIES
REPRESENTED
189 INDUSTRY DAY
ACCREDITATIONS
32 UK PREMIERES
46,150 SOCIAL
MEDIA FOLLOWERS
AUDIENCE GROWTH OF 91% SINCE 2021
50% FEMALE
DIRECTED FILMS
4651 SUBSCRIBERS
50.2% OPEN RATE
32% OF AUDIENCE AGED 16-30
1504 FILM
SUBMISSIONS
124,181 WEBSITE
PAGE VIEWS
51% OF OUR AUDIENCE IDENTIFIES WITH ETHNIC
BACKGROUNDS OTHER THAN WHITE BRITISH

award WinnErs at CFF42
awards
Outstanding Contribution to
CinEma - Asif Kapadia
At CFF42, we were delighted to award our Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award to the brilliant
Asif Kapadia for his remarkable impact on the film industry. Kapadia's diverse body of work, which
includes the acclaimed films THE WARRIOR, DIEGO MARADONA, SENNA, AMY and CREATURE,
has not only earned him BAFTAs, an Oscar, and even a Grammy but also the admiration of peers and
audiences worldwide. His perseverance, dedication, and ability to create profound art in the face of
industry barriers truly make him an inspirational figure in cinema.
Alongside receiving the award, Asif graciously presented four significant films, providing Festival
attendees with a unique opportunity to participate in a Q&A about his fascinating career and delve
deeper into his cinematic journey to date.
Youth Lab
A hugE thank you to asif
for sitting down with
the CFF Youth Lab!
Furthermore, Asif generously took time to engage with our Youth Lab participants, offering them
invaluable advice and insights from his illustrious career in filmmaking. His involvement greatly added
to this year’s Cambridge Film Festival, enriching the experience for both young aspiring filmmakers
and our wider audience.
We thank Asif for joining us and look forward to announcing 2024's Outstanding Contribution to
Cinema award recipient later this year.

awards
awards
GoldEn Punt
BEst Fiction
FEaturE
GoldEn
Punt BEst
DocumEntary
CrEatura
Dir. Elena Martín
CREATURA, directed by Elena Martín, clinched this year's Golden Punt for Best Fiction Feature.
The film, starring Martín, Oriol Pla, and Clàudia Malagelada, explores Mila's introspective journey
amidst a strained relationship, revisiting her childhood to confront her desires and societal expectations.
Martín's dual role as director and lead actor brings a genuine exploration of female sexuality within
patriarchal confines, aligning with Camera Catalonia's focus on pioneering female filmmakers.
Celebrated for its bold narrative, CREATURA was a highlight of our Festival, with Martín and DOP
Alana Mejia enriching the 22nd October screening with their presence.
PurE ClEan WatEr
Dir. Tony Eva
PURE CLEAN WATER, directed by Tony Eva, wins the Golden Punt for Best Documentary Feature,
addressing Cambridge's urgent water scarcity issue.
This compelling documentary examines how Hobson’s Conduit, a 250-year-old watercourse, and other
natural springs are threatened by rising demand, affecting the River Cam and local chalk streams.
Highlighting the collective responsibility of water companies, regulators, and the community,
it questions whether Cambridge can secure a sustainable water future. The film's significance was
underscored in a panel discussion moderated by BBC's Chris Mann, featuring director Tony Eva,
highlighting the environmental challenges and solutions.

awards
awards
Crystal Punt
BEst Short
Film
Youth Lab Jury
Award
ThE Snip
Dir. Ben S. Hyland
THE SNIP, directed by Ben S. Hyland, captures the Crystal Punt for Best Short Film. This UK short,
running 19 minutes, delves into Tony and Lindsay's quest for a permanent resolution to their fertility
challenges, confronting Tony's apprehensions about masculinity.
Its blend of humour and poignant commentary on societal expectations around masculinity struck
a chord with our audience, showcasing Hyland's ability to craft relatable and thought-provoking
narratives.
FLEDGLINGS (Pisklaki)
Dir. Lidia Duda
Fledglings is a stunningly beautiful and touching film that follows Zosia, Oskar, and Kinga, residents
of a boarding school for visually impaired children in Poland. We follow their daily lives as they learn
to navigate the world, face challenges, and form friendships.
Youth Lab Lead Abby Pollock comments on the award: "The Youth Lab Jury (part of our Youth Lab
project aimed at young people between 16 and 24 years old) worked hard to decide on the award this year
and were fascinated by the distinct works of all the filmmakers. The Youth Lab Jury selected Fledglings
because of its artistic choices and its sensitive and immersive portrayal of the experience of the children,
making them centre stage and telling their stories with great empathy."

A hugE thank you to our Official
PartnErs
Principal Partners
Co-Partners
Third Partners
For more information about supporting Cambridge Film Festival please contact:
becky.mann@cambridgefilmtrust.org.uk
Telephone 07739 131820
www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk
cambridgefilmfestival
camfilmfest
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