43rd Cambridge Film Festival Brochure

Cambridge 

FILM FESTIVAL 2024 

24 October–31 October 

www.camfilmfest.com 

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WELCOMe 

TO THE 43RD CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL 

Welcome to the Cambridge Film Festival! 

What can cinema do for us in times of crisis? Wasn’t the invention 

of cinema itself a response to crisis – a way to capture, reanimate 

and relive better times? Making the past present and the present 

past has always been a defining feature of the seventh art. This 

year, we’re thrilled to bring you a programme that reflects the 

power of cinema to comfort, challenge and connect. 

Across eight magical days, the Cambridge Film Festival offers a space for togetherness 

and discovery, a journey of shared experience. Whether you come to bask in the glory 

of our Galas, uncover hidden gems in the International Festival Highlights strand, 

explore environmental themes, celebrate the Art of Action alongside your favourite 

heroines, or ponder the nature of humanity, you are welcome and long-awaited. 

This year’s selection delves into the vulnerabilities of both characters and filmmakers, 

capturing a world in all its diversity – from the cracks in masculine facades to the bold 

voices of queer experiences, from neurodivergent lives to nonhuman perspectives. 

Every film is an invitation to feel, question and reflect. 

Thank you for being a part of our Festival family. Your support is invaluable in keeping 

this cherished community alive. We can’t wait to welcome you – familiar faces and 

new friends alike. 

Enjoy the festival! 

The Cambridge Film Festival Team 

The Cambridge Film Festival is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust, a registered charity 

with a mission to foster and promote film culture and education for the benefit of people in 

Cambridge, the East of England and throughout the UK. This project is supported by the BFI 

Film Audience Network awarding funds from the National Lottery. 

#CFF43 CambridgeFilmFestival2024 3

GUIDE 

TO THE FESTIVAL 

We’re committed to making the Cambridge Film Festival a welcoming, inclusive and accessible 

space for everyone. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate and enjoy the Festival. 

For the most up-to-date information on filmmaker Q&As, accessibility and content warnings, 

visit camfilmfest.com/guide, as some details are confirmed after the brochure is printed. 

Screening times 

Filmmaker Q&As 

Accessibility 

Content guidance 

F-Rating 

Films will start promptly at the advertised times, without adverts or 

trailers beforehand. 

We’re excited to host guests for Q&As after select screenings. 

Check our website for details. 

We offer accessible screenings, including descriptive subtitles, BSL-interpreted intros 

and Q&As, as well as relaxed screenings for neurodivergent audiences. 

All venues are wheelchair accessible, and audio description headsets are available on 

request for select screenings. 

We understand that films can affect people in different ways. Some films may contain 

themes or imagery that could be triggering. We provide CFF age ratings for all films, 

as well as content and trigger warnings where necessary, while avoiding spoilers. 

We are proud to support gender diversity and are committed to a 50/50 ratio of male 

to female and non-binary filmmakers across the entire Festival programme. 

We also work in partnership with F -Rating, so look out for these icons: 

F-Rating: Assigned to films directed and/or written by women. 

Triple F-Rating: Assigned to films which have significant women on screen, 

as well as being directed and/or written by women. 

Enjoy the Festival 

& stay updated 

4 

CambridgeFilmFestival2024 

camfilmfest.com

CONTENTS 

6 Opening 

& Closing films 

8 Gala 

Screenings 

12 International 

Festival Highlights 

18 Youth 

Lab 

20 

21 

Reel Voices 

Become 

a Friend 

22 Environment 

& Community 

26 Camera 

Catalonia 46 Outstanding 

Contribution Award 

29 Surprise 

Film 48 Cambridge 

Connection 

30 Fierce 

Industry Day 

Frames 49 

Film times 

34 53 ShortFusion 

37 Tickets 

Family Film 

& venues 60 Festival 

38 Belongings 63 Audience 

Awards 

42 Otherwise 

CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL STAFF 

Festival Management Team Owen Baker, Esperanza Moreno Guerra & Cristina Roures 

Programming Panel Lead Savina Petkova • Corporate Partnerships & PR Manager Becky Mann 

Outreach & Events Coordinator Hannah Hitchin • Programming Panel Teodosia Dobriyanova, Ramon Lamarca 

& Nathasha Orlando Kappler • Camera Catalonia Programmer Ramon Lamarca 

Programme AdvisorS Elle Haywood & Mike O’Brien • Short Films Programmer Abigail Pollock 

Submissions Coordinator Hannah Hitchin • Industry Curator Amon Warmann 

Brochure Editor & Coordinator Rhea Finnie • Brochure Designer Dan Taylor 

Projection Team Tom Woodcock, Tom Brookes, Jonathan Carpenter, Miles Unsworth & Aaron Bennett 

Photographer Jean-Luc Benazet • Festival assistants Karina Bhojwani, Gulara ‘Jay’ Yolchiyeva, Kenisha van Keulen 

& Stuart Wren • Festival Interns Martin Attmore, Amy Bogue & Chris Kwun Shing LAU 

YOUTH LAB 

Youth Lab Lead Abigail Pollock 

CFF REEL VOICES 

ARU-CFF Partnership Lead Tina Kendall • Project coordinator Lauren Powell 

Lead mentors Harriet Fletcher, Henry Miller & Toby Venables 

CAMBRIDGE FILM TRUST 

Isabelle McNeill, Simon Jones, Tony Jones, Geoffrey Maguire, Mike O’Brien & Matthew Webb 

ARTS PICTUREHOUSE 

General Manager Victoria Ayre • Duty Managers Aaron Bennett, Megan Cave & Chloe Kelly 

PICTUREHOUSE CINEMAS 

Clare Binns, Keith Gehlert, Carol McKay, Rose Butler & Martha Crass 


OPENING FILM 

BIRD 

15 

THU 

24 

20:20 

SUN 

27 

20:25 

UK 2024 119 MINS 

DIRECTOR Andrea Arnold 

WITH Franz Rogowski, Barry 

Keoghan, Jason Buda, Nykia 

Adams, James Nelson-Joyce 

PRINT SOURCE MUBI 

A wonder of 

contemporary 

European cinema. 

CFF is delighted to be opening the Festival with a special 

screening of Bird (2024), the Palme d’Or-nominated film 

from Andrea Arnold, Fish Tank (2009), American Honey (2016), 

Cow (2021), who will also be joining us for an in-person 

post‐screening Q&A on Opening Night. 

Twelve-year-old Bailey (Nykia Adams, delivering an incredible performance) lives 

in a squat in Gravesend with her brother Hunter (Jason Buda) and reckless father 

Bug (Barry Keoghan). One morning, she meets a peculiar stranger who presents 

himself as Bird (Franz Rogowski). A simple story of acceptance and bond-building 

is never that simple amidst the social reality that Bailey lives in. At its heart, Bird 

(2024) holds Heaven and Earth, the ideal and the real, in equal regard. Fans of 

Arnold’s work can also expect the signature Arnold needle drop too (here’s a hint: 

it’s a Coldplay song). Unmissable. 

SAVINA PETKOVA, CINEUROPA 

6 


camfilmfest.com

CLOSING FILM 

A REAL PAIN 

CFF 

15 

THU 

31 

21:10 

USA & POLAND 2024 90 MINS 

DIRECTOR Jesse Eisenberg 

WITH Kieran Culkin, Jesse 

Eisenberg, Will Sharpe, Jennifer 

Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, 

Daniel Oreskes 

PRINT SOURCE Searchlight Pictures 

A touching dramedy with 

great performances. 

MAE ABDULBAKI, SCREENRANT 

Oscar-nominee Jesse Eisenberg returns both behind and 

in front of the camera with A Real Pain (2024), starring 

opposite Succession (2018–2023) favourite Kieran Culkin. 

This heartfelt script, penned and developed by the director, 

sees cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran 

Culkin) reuniting for a trip through Poland to honour their 

late grandmother, who was a Holocaust survivor. 

One can hardly imagine a better-suited couple of oddballs and the familial 

history is precisely the spark needed to light the fire, revealing their true 

essence. Perhaps they can also use the light to catch a glimpse of each 

other’s forgotten selves? Our Closing Film leaves room for introspection too, 

but most of all, it invites you to be together—really together. 


GALA 

SCREENINGS 

Dazzling and highly-anticipated, our Galas bring the biggest and 

brightest names to the silver screen. This year’s Headline Gala is 

none other than Marielle Heller’s provocative Nightbitch (2024), 

starring the indomitable Amy Adams. Other gems include the 2024 

Palme d’Or winner Anora (2024); a long-awaited adaptation of a 

Pulitzer Prize-winning novel; an Iranian parable; a love story with 

the city of Mumbai; and the UK premiere of a thrilling crime drama 

set in early 20th‐century Copenhagen. 

8 


camfilmfest.com

HEADLINE 

GALA 

NIGHTBITCH 

USA 2024 99 MINS 

DIRECTOR Marielle Heller 

WITH Amy Adams, 

Scoot McNairy, Arleigh 

Patrick Snowden, Emmett 

James Snowden, Zoë Chao, 

Mary Holland, Archana Rajan 

PRINT SOURCE Searchlight 

Pictures 

CFF 

18 

Marielle Heller, the director behind the beloved Tom Hanks-led A Beautiful Day 

in the Neighborhood (2019), returns with a sharp bite. But Nightbitch (2024) is 

more than a catchy title. The film is based on a novel by Rachel Yoder where a 

new(ish) mother is already at her limit: her husband is not around, her career 

has been put on pause and the neighbouring mums seem to prefer rivalry over 

support. The fantastic Amy Adams is Mother, but who is Nightbitch? The answer 

awaits in our Headline Gala, where you can discover a film we’ll be talking about 

for a long woof-ing time... 

SAT 

26 

21:10 

TUE 

29 

18:10 

Anora is Baker’s first film set in the big city 

proper and it has to look glorious. Young love at 

its cheesiest looks best on 35mm. 

SAVINA PETKOVA, AWARDSWATCH 

ANORA 18 

USA 2024 138 MINS 

English, Russian with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Sean Baker WITH Mikey Madison, Paul 

Weissman, Lindsey Normington, Mark Eydelshteyn, 

Yura Borisov, Vache Tovmasyan 

PRINT SOURCE Universal Pictures International 

Not every girl wants to be somebody’s princess but 

anyone who does, should be given the opportunity. This 

is not exactly what Sean Baker wants to preach with his 

Palme d’Or winner, but Anora (2024) certainly invites us 

to think so. In the film, a young woman is not afraid to 

try to have it all and even the prospect of failing cannot 

take away the feel-good quality of Baker’s work. What 

we have here is a romance, Sean Baker style. Played by 

a magnetic Mikey Madison, Anora is a 23-year-old sex 

worker who sees the young son of a Russian oligarch as 

a little bit more than a golden ticket. 

FRI 

25 

20:15 

SUN 

27 

18:20 


ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT 

FRANCE, INDIA, NETHERLANDS, 

& LUXEMBOURG 2024 115 MINS 

Malayalam, Hindi with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Payal Kapadia 

WITH Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, 

Chhaya Kadam 

PRINT SOURCE BFI Distribution 

CFF 

15 

Payal Kapadia’s second film after the acclaimed A Night of Knowing 

Nothing (2021) is a gentle, loving story of friendship and female 

independence set in Mumbai. Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya 

Prabha) are two Malayali nurses who live and work together, each having 

her own rhythm when it comes to relationships and daily routines. Yet, 

they meet every night in the kitchen and take turns gazing at night-time 

Mumbai—a place that signifies different things for both of them. The first 

film from India to compete in the Cannes Film Festival main competition 

since 1994, All We Imagine as Light (2024) won the Grand Prix. A beautiful, 

comforting film to revel in. 

A glorious film. PETER BRADSHAW, THE GUARDIAN 

MON 

28 

20:55 

WED 

30 

18:20 

NICKEL BOYS CFF 

15 

USA 2024 139 MINS 

WED 

30 

20:30 

THU 

31 

18:15 

DIRECTOR RaMell Ross 

WITH Ethan Cole Sharp, Sam Malone, Najah Bradley 

PRINT SOURCE Curzon Film/Amazon MGM Studios 

10 


The long-awaited adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s 

2019 novel The Nickel Boys, is gracing our festival 

screens shortly after its world premiere at the 

Telluride Film Festival. This historical drama is 

directed by RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, 

This Evening, 2018) and follows two African American 

boys in an abusive 1960s reform school in Florida 

called the Nickel Academy. Whitehead’s novel drew 

inspiration from a real institution and Jomo Fray’s 

camerawork keeps to a first-person perspective to 

convey the oppressive conditions and the emotional 

impact on the characters through a particular kind of 

embodied, visual storytelling. 

A staggeringly beautiful story of resilience. 

DAVID EHRLICH, INDIEWIRE 

camfilmfest.com

UK 

P R E M I E R E 

THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE 

PIGEN MED NÅLEN 

DENMARK, POLAND & 

SWEDEN 2024 115 MINS 

Danish with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Magnus von Horn 

WITH Vic Carmen Sonne, Trine 

Dyrholm, Besir Zeciri 


#CFF43 CambridgeFilmFestival2024 11 

CFF 

18 

Karoline (Vic Carmen Sonne), a young factory worker, is struggling to survive in 

post-World War 1 Copenhagen. When she finds herself unemployed, abandoned 

and pregnant, she meets Dagmar (Trine Dyrholm), a charismatic woman running 

an underground adoption agency helping mothers to find foster homes for their 

unwanted children. With no one to turn to, Karoline takes on the role of a wet 

nurse. A strong connection is formed between the two women, but Karoline’s 

world shatters when she stumbles upon the shocking truth behind her work. 

Inspired by a true story and directed by Magnus von Horn (Sweat, 2020), The Girl 

With The Needle (2024) is an unsettling, often visually graphic tale about a woman 

struggling to find love and a sense of morality. 

THE SEED OF THE 

CFF 

SACRED FIG 18 

FRANCE, GERMANY 2024 168 MINS 

Persian (Farsi) with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Mohammad Rasoulof 

WITH Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Niousha Akhshi, 

Missagh Zareh, Soheila Golestani 

PRINT SOURCE Lionsgate 

Acclaimed filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has never 

held back: his films are sharp incisions into the political 

tissue of Iranian society and The Seed of the Sacred Fig 

(2024) makes no exception. This monumental work won 

the director the Special Jury and the FIPRESCI prizes 

at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, with a bold story set 

against the backdrop of the 2022 protests. Iman (Missagh 

Zareh) is an investigator working for the government, 

but the promise of a promotion and a better life for his 

family comes with unexpected complications when his 

gun goes missing. 

SUN 

27 

20:55 

TUE 

29 

20:05 

TUE 

29 

18:30 

THU 

31 

18:00

INTERNATIONAL 

FESTIVAL 

HIGHLIGHTS 

We’ve curated a delightful and daring selection from the 

Sundance, Berlinale and Cannes Film Festivals that showcases 

new voices destined to leave a mark. Here you can find exciting 

debut features from talented newcomers like Carson Lund and 

Tyler Taormina; and share the magic and urgency of acclaimed 

storytellers such as Matthew Rankin and Mati Diop. And 

in a Cambridge-first, a film shot entirely in the videogame 

Grand Theft Auto. 

12 


camfilmfest.com

DAHOMEY 

PG 

FRANCE, SENEGAL & BENIN 

2024 69 MINS 

French & English with English 

subtitles 

DIRECTOR Mati Diop 

WITH Gildas Adannou, Habib 

Ahandessi, Joséa Guedje 


FRI 

25 

18:20 

MON 

28 

19:50 

Presented in collaboration 

with The New Black Film 

Collective. TNBFC exists to 

create and cultivate a vibrant 

Black ecosystem in the UK film 

and TV sector. 

In 2021, France returned 26 royal artefacts, which colonial forces stole from 

the Kingdom of Dahomey (modern Benin) in 1892. Acclaimed filmmaker Mati 

Diop (Atlantics, 2019) was there to witness the return of the treasures, which 

spent over a century away from home. The result is a unique and powerful 

documentary that won the Berlinale’s Golden Bear. It raises pressing 

questions about the need for reparations, and the price of time forever lost. 

The first screening of Dahomey (2024) will be followed by a panel discussion 

hosted by The New Black Film Collective with the support of MUBI. 

THE 

NEW 

BLACK 

film collective 

EEPHUS 

USA & FRANCE 2024 

98 MINS 


CFF 

PG 

DIRECTOR Carson Lund 

WITH Keith William RIchards, Cliff Blake, Ray 

Hryb, Stephen Radochia, David Pridemore, 

Pete Minkarah, David Torres Jr. 

PRINT SOURCE Film Constellation 

Set in a rural New England town in the 1990s, 

two amateur baseball teams come together 

to play one last match as their beloved sports 

stadium is due for demolition. Reluctant to 

say farewell to a place that has brought them 

plenty of banter, camaraderie, and escapism 

from their responsibilities as family men, the 

players are determined to make this final 

game one to remember. 

SUN 

27 

16:25 

MON 

28 

20:40

UK 


CHRISTMAS EVE IN MILLER’S POINT 

USA 2024 106 MINS 

DIRECTOR Tyler Taormina 

WITH Michael Cera, Francesca Scorsese, Sawyer 

Spielberg, Maria Dizzia, Matilda Fleming, Elsie 

Fisher, Gregg Turkington, Ben Shenkman 

PRINT SOURCE Vertigo Releasing 

CFF 

PG 

SAT 

26 

16:05 

On Christmas Eve, a family gathers for what could be the last 

holiday in their ancestral home. As the night wears on and 

generational tensions arise, one of the teenagers sneaks out 

with her friends to claim the wintry suburb for her own. 

TUE 

29 

18:00 

14 


GRAND THEFT 

CFF 

HAMLET 12 A 

UK 2024 89 MINS 

English, Spanish, Arabic with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Sam Crane, Pinny Grylls 

WITH Sam Crane, Mark Oosterveen, Pinny Grylls 

PRINT SOURCE Altitude Film Sales 

The COVID-19 lockdown may have left many 

stranded, but actors Sam Crane and Mark 

Oosterveen decided to turn its bleakness into 

possibility. This is the result of their labour – not 

only did they attempt (and succeeded!) to stage 

an adaptation of Shakespeare’s infamous play 

in the world of the videogame Grand Theft Auto, 

but they also made a film out of it. This desktop 

documentary is unlike anything you’ve seen 

before, you’re in for a wild ride in Los Santos and 

a front row seat at the reinvention of cinematic 

language. “To be or not to be?”: Hamlet’s ask is 

rendered even more poetic in a virtual world of 

violence and vulnerabilities. 

SAT 

26 

16:50 

MON 

28 

18:00 

camfilmfest.com

UK 


IN THE LAND OF BROTHERS 

IRAN, FRANCE & 

NETHERLANDS 2024 95 MINS 

Persian (Farsi, Dari, Hazaragi) 

with English subtitles 

DIRECTORS Raha Amirfazli 

& Alireza Ghasemi 

WITH Hamideh Jafari, Bashir 

Nikzad, Mohammad Hosseini 

PRINT SOURCE Alpha Violet 

CFF 

15 

SAT 

26 

21:00 

In 2023, Iran sheltered 3.4 million refugees, making it the biggest host country 

for asylum seekers in the world. For decades now, the state has been welcoming 

refugees fleeing neighbouring Afghanistan – a “land of brothers”. Raha Amirfazli 

and Alireza Ghasemi’s feature debut looks at the lives of three Afghani refugees, 

all members of an extended family, and the repressions and ethnic discrimination 

they had to endure in Iran. Using a triptych structure and spanning two decades, 

this powerful Sundance Best Director Award-winning epic sheds light on the 

realities of migration in a region severely underrepresented on screen. 

SUN 

27 

13:10 

LA COCINA 


CFF 

15 

MEXICO & USA 2024 139 MINS 

English, Spanish with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Alonso Ruizpalacios 

WITH Raúl Briones, Rooney Mara, Anna Díaz 

PRINT SOURCE Picturehouse Entertainment 

MON 

28 

18:15 

Did you enjoy Boiling Point (2021) and The Bear (2022‐)? 

The ingenuity of those fast-paced, labour-intensive settings 

makes for a perfect film subject, even if that means 

subjecting yourself to a cinematic version of kitchen-hell. 

This year, Mexican director Alonso Ruizpalacios takes us 

behind the counter of a big tourist trap restaurant near 

Times Square in New York City, tellingly called ‘The Grill’, 

where tensions rise and love hides. La Cocina (2024) is 

fittingly dramatic, but its deeply human heart beats through 

every glorious frame. Starring a magnetic Rooney Mara and 

a volatile Raúl Briones, La Cocina (2024) may be the most 

THU 

31 

15:20 

beautiful of the kitchen-themed wild rides in recent cinema.

SUJO 

CFF 

15 

MEXICO, USA & FRANCE 2024 

125 MINS 

Spanish with English subtitles 

DIRECTORS Astrid Rondero & Fernanda 

Valadez 

WITH Juan Jesús Varela, Yadira Pérez, 

Alexis Varela, Sandra Lorenzano, Jairo 

Hernandez, Kevin Aguilar, Karla Garrido 

PRINT SOURCE BEAM Films 

At the age of four, Sujo’s (Juan Jesús Varela) hitman father is vengefully 

murdered by the local cartel. At risk of a similar fate, the women in 

Sujo’s life quietly band together and whisk him away to safety. This 

tender coming-of-age story follows Sujo from his isolated childhood into 

his teenage years. But with gang warfare and poverty rife in the region, 

can he truly escape the same fate? Sujo (2024) scooped up awards at 

this year’s Sundance, Cinélatino Toulouse and Sofia Film Festivals with 

the depiction of women who risk their own freedom and safety to end 

this violent cycle of corruption. 

FRI 

25 

18:00 

SAT 

26 

18:30 

16 


UNIVERSAL 

LANGUAGE 

CFF 

12 A 

CANADA 2024 89 MINS 

Farsi, French with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Matthew Rankin WITH Rojina Esmaeili, Saba 

Vahedyousefi, Sobhan Javadi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew 

Rankin PRINT SOURCE Best Friend Forever 

In this eccentric comedy, writer/director Matthew Rankin 

imagines a Canada of Farsi and French. The inhabitants 

of snowy Manitoba feel like characters from classic 

Iranian and Hollywood cinema, and yet everyone is still 

obsessed with Tim Hortons. This delightful story takes 

us down three different paths: the mission of Negin 

(Rojina Esmaeili) and Nazgol (Saba Vahedyousefi) to dig 

out money from under the ice, a town tour with guide 

Massoud (Pirouz Nemati), and the journey of Matthew 

(Matthew Rankin) who is on a coach travelling from 

Quebec to Winnipeg to see his mother. If you are missing 

the deadpan delights of a Wes Anderson feature, this is 

your ticket. 

FRI 

25 

18:10 

SUN 

27 

16:20 

camfilmfest.com

THE UNIVERSAL THEORY 15 

DIE THEORIE VON ALLEM 

GERMANY, AUSTRIA & SWITZERLAND 

2023 118 MINS 

German, French, Italian, English with 

English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Timm Krӧger 

WITH Jan Bülow, Olivia Ross, Hanns 

Zischler 

PRINT SOURCE Picturehouse 

Entertainment 

Set in the remote Swiss Alps, Timm Kröger’s new film offers a plethora 

of stunning images you won’t forget. The film takes place in 1962 and 

follows a physicist and his supervisor attending a scientific congress. 

Little do they know that things are going to turn sour when a series of 

mysterious deaths befall the participants and tensions brew. A love 

story nestled in this gloriously shot sci-fi thriller metaphorically colours 

the already breathtaking black and white visuals, and Hitchcockian 

tones will keep you guessing to the very end. The Universal Theory 

(2023) is a cinephile’s fever dream. 

MON 

28 

18:30 

THU 

31 

16:40 

A SUSHI RESTAURANT 

– EVEN FOR THOSE 

WHO DON’T LIKE FISH 

2 Wheeler Street, Cambridge CB2 3QJ 

sticksnsushi.com 


Untitled-1 1 09/09/2024 11:19

YOUTH LAB 

Your Gateway to the 

Film Industry 

Are you aged 16-24 and passionate about film or pursuing 

a career in the film industry? Join the Cambridge Film 

Festival Youth Lab! 

The Youth Lab is a youth-led film education initiative designed to enhance your 

film knowledge and networking skills. As a member, you’ll connect with likeminded 

individuals and build industry relationships in a friendly, supportive 

environment. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and provide 

regular film discussion groups, workshops, networking events and talks from 

industry professionals, along with essential career support. 

Interested in joining? 

18 


camfilmfest.com

Joining the Youth Lab is a massive advance 

for local youth wanting to get into film. 

I’ve met industry professionals and 

experimented with various aspects of 

filmmaking in less than a year. 

ROTEM PERRY 

There wasn’t one activity in any of the Youth 

Lab sessions that I didn’t 100% enjoy and 

find incredibly useful for planning a future 

in the film industry. 

TROY YOUNG 

Being in the Youth Lab has been a lovely 

experience. I’ve met incredible people, 

built my confidence and had opportunities 

I never thought I’d have. It’s a supportive 

group that I am exceptionally grateful to be 

a part of. 

RHIANNA ROE 

80% 

36% 

35% 

28% 

of Youth Lab members go on to employment or 

higher education within the industry 

identify as LGBTQIA+ 

identify as having a disability, long-term health 

condition, or are neurodivergent 

identify with an ethnic background other than 

White British 

The Youth Lab is supported by: 


REEL VOICES 

A Mentoring Programme for 

Aspiring Film Journalists 

Cambridge Film Festival and Anglia Ruskin University 

are excited to launch Reel Voices, a new joint initiative for 

aspiring film critics in Cambridgeshire. 

CFF Reel Voices is dedicated to nurturing emerging talent and helping young 

people develop film journalism skills through: 

• One-to-one mentoring from industry professionals 

• Workshops on journalism and film criticism 

• Full access to the Festival with press accreditation 

• Publishing reviews on the Festival’s platforms 

If you are interested in the scheme for 2025, please email 

info@cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk 

Read the reviews on 

the Festival website: 

20 


camfilmfest.com

BECOME OUR FRIEND! 

The Cambridge Film Festival is brought to you by a small charity 

with a dedicated and passionate team. We thrive thanks to the 

incredible effort of everyone involved—including you. 

For an annual membership of £50, here’s what you’ll enjoy: 

The knowledge that you’re supporting 

an independent arts charity 

Discounted Festival tickets! 

Find out more at 

Exclusive updates & advanced 

notifications of upcoming 

festival events 

Special Invitations to 

festival events 

Rewards & discounts 

with partners with 

your limited edition 

Festival Friend 

lanyard 

camfilmfest.com/become-friend 

or email 

joinus@cambridgefilmtrust.org.uk 


ENVIRONMENT 

& COMMUNITY 

Supported by Alchemie Technology, these films show a world at loss, 

but also highlight all that can still be saved. They focus on themes 

of climate change and pollution, the importance of preserving 

communities and species, and celebrating sustainable practices and 

traditions. The stories in this strand call upon us to engage in the 

fight to protect our planet, to play an active role in environmental 

conservation, and empower us with the knowledge and awareness 

of these crucial issues. 

Supported by 

22 


camfilmfest.com

FLOW 

U 

LATVIA, FRANCE, BELGIUM 

2024 84 MINS 

DIRECTOR Gints Zilbalodis 

PRINT SOURCE Curzon Film 

SUN 

27 

14:35 

In a futuristic world without humans or dialogue, you are invited to immerse 

yourself in the captivating animated tale that is Flow (2024). In the wake of a 

tsunami, a little black cat tries to flee the rising floods and finds himself in the 

company of a capybara, lemur, secretary bird and an-ever-so-happy labrador. As 

the misfit crew try to navigate their boat through this post-apocalyptic world, our 

feline friend must learn to trust his new companions, face his fear of the water and 

find his courage. The recipient of the Jury Award at Annecy International Animation 

Film Festival, this is truly an epic cinematic experience for those of all ages. 

THU 

31 

19:00 

AS THE TIDE COMES IN 

FØR STORMEN 

DENMARK 2023 89 MINS 

Danish with English subtitles 

DIRECTORS Juan Palacios & Sofie Husum Johannesen 

PRINT SOURCE Lightdox 


CFF 

12 A 

The 27 residents on the tiny island of Mandø in the Danish Wadden 

Sea are used to severe weather and flooding. However, climate 

change and increasingly extreme weather now pose a serious threat 

to the eight-square-kilometre island. Its last farmer, Gregers, bravely 

faces the inevitable catastrophe. He refuses to build a life elsewhere 

and instead, hopes to find a wife to manage the farm with him. 

Co-directed by Juan Palacios and Sofie Husum Johannesen, this 

touching documentary is unafraid to interrogate the pertinent issues 

of the climate crisis, while caringly documenting Mandø’s sense of 

community despite the new threats from nature. A gorgeously shot, 

distinctive portrait of a changing time and an enduring place. 

SAT 

26 

15:00 

THU 

31 

20:40

EURO 


DIVING INTO THE DARKNESS 

AUSTRALIA 2024 96 MINS 

DIRECTOR Nays Baghai 

WITH Jill Heinerth, Bill Stone, 

Richard Harris 

PRINT SOURCE Running Cloud 

Productions 

CFF 

12 A 

FRI 

25 

16:20 

SAT 

26 

11:20 

Few have ever explored the true depths of the ocean, but one of the brave souls 

who has, is the legendary Canadian cave diver Jill Heinerth. Heinerth was inspired 

reading National Geographic books as a child, and went on to lead groundbreaking 

historical and archaeological expeditions, which have helped to find the 

balance between human activity and the natural world. The stakes are notoriously 

high in this line of work, and Jill, alongside her family and colleagues, reflects 

on the risks and rewards of cave diving, including those she has lost, while also 

ruminating on her inner courage and bravery in the face of adversity. 

WED 

30 

12:55 

UK 


THE CIGARETTE 

SURFBOARD 


CFF 

12 A 

DIRECTOR Ben Judkins 

WITH Taylor Lane, Jack Johnson, 

Cliff Kapono, Easkey Britton 

PRINT SOURCE The Cigarette Surfboard LLC 

Ben Judkins, a documentarian and avid 

surfer hailing from San Francisco, brings us an 

immersively vivid documentary that provides 

viewers with an up-close experience of the 

ocean through surfers’ eyes, to contextualise and 

amplify a message of urgency and possibility 

regarding the ocean’s wellbeing. Not only does 

he explore the surfer’s responsibility to protect 

marine life, but also showcases what one can 

actually do to counter pollution in an age of 

greenwashing and shoulder shrugging on behalf 

of those responsible for pollution at large. 

WED 

30 

20:10 

THU 

31 

14:10 

24 


camfilmfest.com

INTL 


THE KEEPERS 

IRELAND 2024 61 MINS 

DIRECTOR Eoin McGowan 

WITH Jouke De Ruiter, Jouke 

Anne De Ruiter, Lya De Ruiter, 

John Creedon 

PRINT SOURCE An Púca Films/ 

Collective Films 

CFF 

U 

Irish filmmaker Eoin McGowan follows the De Ruiter family as they work together 

on their hobby and small business in the Beara Peninsula, during six months of 

the honey bee season. A beautiful observation of the relationship between man 

and the honey bee, this documentary focuses on a family of intergenerational 

beekeepers hived in West Cork, Ireland. After 25 years in Ireland, the De Ruiter 

family are continuously adapting to nature and facing the challenges that the 

landscape brings. Through the imagination of the family, we explore bees in 

folklore and the environmental challenges we face, with the help of poetry, 

original music and stunning scenery. 

FRI 

25 

13:25 

SUN 

27 

12:50 

MON 

28 

21:20 


CAMERA 

CATALONIA 

This year we are thrilled to bring you two of the most popular 

recent Catalan productions, the box office hit A House on Fire (2024) 

and The Teacher Who Promised the Sea (2023), both loved by audiences 

and praised by critics. We venture into the horror genre with two 

very different proposals, which are contemporary, unique and 

thought-provoking – You’re Not Me (2023) and Werewolf (2023). 

Finally, The Human Hibernation (2024) is a 

visually mesmerising Berlinale-awarded 

film, which explores the relationship between 

humans and the environment. 

Supported by 

26 


camfilmfest.com

A HOUSE ON FIRE 

CASA EN FLAMES 

SPAIN 2024 105 MINS 

Catalan and Spanish with 


DIRECTOR Dani de la Orden 

WITH Emma Vilarasau, Enric 

Auquer, Maria Rodríguez Soto, 

Alberto San Juan 

PRINT SOURCE Film Factory 

Entertainment 

This film is a joy, despite such 

sadness. THE AUSTRALIAN 

CFF 

15 

We are very happy to be screening one of the most successful Catalan films at 

the box office in the last decade, loved by audiences and celebrated by critics. 

A House on Fire (2024) is a darkly comedic portrayal of a dysfunctional Catalan 

family reuniting at their coastal home on the Costa Brava. Montse, played 

wonderfully by Emma Vilarasau, brings her family together for an important 

discussion but tensions quickly rise, threatening to implode the reunion. This 

ensemble film cleverly mixes family drama with moments of sharp humour, 

exploring themes of love, money and family obligations. 

A sugar-coated skewering of the hypocrisies 

of the Catalan bourgeoise. SCREEN DAILY 

SAT 

26 

18:40 

THE TEACHER WHO 

PROMISED THE SEA 12 CFF 

A 

EL MAESTRO QUE PROMETIÓ EL MAR 


Spanish & Catalan with English subtitles 

SUN 

27 

18:35 

DIRECTOR Patricia Font WITH Enric Auquer, Laia Costa, 

Luisa Gavasa, Ramón Agirre PRINT SOURCE Filmax 

Antoni Benaiges was a teacher who introduced progressive 

TUE 

29 

13:15 

education methods to a rural Spanish school in 1934, before the 

start of the Spanish Civil War. He promised to take his students 

to see the ocean for the first time. Seventy-five years later, the 

granddaughter of one of those students discovers the moving story 

hidden behind that promise. The film explores themes of hope, 

education and oppression, with a powerful performance by the lead 

actor, Enric Auquer. This poignant portrayal of a forgotten hero has 

been praised for its emotional depth, and for its timely reflection on 

the importance of education and freedom in the face of tyranny. 

TUE 

29 

15:55 


UK 


THE HUMAN HIBERNATION 


English with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Anna Cornudella 

Castro WITH Clara Muck 

Dietrich, Valentine, Demetrius 

Hollimon, Jane Hubbell, 

Brian Stevens, Neil O’Neil, 

Dove, Kris Koon 

PRINT SOURCE Begin Again Films 

CFF 

12 A 

The Human Hibernation (2024) portrays a future in which humans adopt 

hibernation as a survival mechanism, due to climate change. Clara searches for 

answers when her younger sister Erin disappears after waking up prematurely 

from hibernation. The film premiered at the Berlinale 2024, where it won the 

FIPRESCI award, and has nature as its main protagonist. Captivating images 

and sounds abound, leaving humans to merge discretely with the background. 

Anna Cornudella’s feature directorial debut blends documentary and fiction to 

examine themes of nature, family and environmental adaptation. Humanity’s 

relationship with the environment is explored with little dialogue and a 

contemplative pace. It deserves to be enjoyed on the big screen. 

WED 

30 

18:00 

THU 

31 

13:20 

UK 


WEREWOLF 

LLOBÀS 


Catalan with English subtitles 

CFF 

15 

DIRECTOR Pau Calpe Rufat WITH Leon Martínez, 

Pol López, Maria Rodríguez Soto 

PRINT SOURCE Galapagos Media-Dacsa Produccions 

This original feature fuses genres to offer a unique 

reinterpretation of the werewolf myth. It is significantly 

removed from the conventions of horror cinema, whilst 

preserving the tragic dual nature of those affected by 

the curse. The film follows Adrià (León Martínez), a mute 

17-year-old boy, who lives a nomadic life with his brother 

and his brother’s girlfriend. Adrià has a secret: when there 

is a full moon, he can’t sleep and wanders the streets. 

Director Pau Calpe avoids the horror genre clichés and 

uses lycanthropy as a symbol for marginalisation, social 

alienation and suppressed emotions. 

SUN 

27 

16:30 

WED 

30 

14:50 

28 


camfilmfest.com

UK 


YOU’RE NOT ME 

TÚ NO ERES YO 

CFF 

18 


Catalan and Spanish with English subtitles 

DIRECTORS Marisa Crespo & Moisés Romera 

WITH Roser Tapias, Jorge Motos, Pilar 

Almería, Álvaro Báguena, Pilar Martínez, 

Alfred Picó, Yapoena Silva, Anna Kurika 

PRINT SOURCE Global Screen (World 

Sales Company) 

After three years of being away from home, Aitana (Roser Tapias) 

returns with her wife and their new baby for Christmas, to discover 

that her family has replaced her with a mysterious woman. This 

creates a tense and unsettling atmosphere with sinister undertones. 

The film blends elements of horror and family drama, drawing 

comparisons to the works of Jordan Peele and his portrayal of 

horror in quotidian surroundings. Critics have praised the film for 

its slow-burning tension and unique twist on familiar psychological 

thriller tropes. With themes of identity and belonging, You’re Not Me 

(2023) skilfully maintains suspense, exploring the darker sides of 

family relationships and personal displacement. 

Join us for Q&A with the directors on Friday. 

FRI 

25 

22:10 

MON 

28 

15:35 

2023 Surprise film: Next Goal Wins 

SURPRISE FILM 

From shocks to cheers, thrills to 

grumbles, the Surprise Film has 

garnered a range of reactions 

over the years! 

Kept as a secret in the shadows until 

the evening of the screening, there is 

no telling what the night will bring. 

Whether it’s a dare from your 

mates or you want to experience 

a complete revelation, why not 

come see for yourself? 

SAT 

26 

20:45 

CFF 

15 


FIERCE 

FRAMES 

As part of the BFI’s nationwide Art of Action season, CFF 

will present a season of films, Q&As and panel discussions 

with a focus on women in front of and behind the camera, 

subversion, and desire. Don’t miss this chance to see the 

new 4K restoration of Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break (1991) 

on our biggest screen and in a relaxed screening setting, a 

tremendous double bill celebrating the iconic Michelle Yeoh, 

and to revisit the cult classics Charlie’s Angels (2000) and Coffy 

(1973), hooting and hollering for the glorious women in action. 

30 


camfilmfest.com

POINT BREAK 15 

USA 1991 122 MINS 

DIRECTOR Kathryn Bigelow WITH Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, 

Lori Petty, John C. McGinley, James Le Gros, John Philbin PRINT SOURCE BFI 

An electrifying blend of adrenaline-fueled action and philosophical exploration, 

Point Break thrusts viewers into the heart of California’s surfing subculture, where 

FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) infiltrates a gang of bank robbers led 

by the enigmatic Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). Kathryn Bigelow’s direction brings a 

kinetic energy and visceral style that elevates this action-thriller beyond its genre, 

questioning the very nature of freedom and the pursuit of exhilaration. Returning 

SAT 

26 

18:20 

with a 4K restoration, this cult classic captures the raw spirit of the early ‘90s and is 

both a thrilling ride and a compelling meditation on the extremes of human desire. 

The first screening will have descriptive subtitles and be followed by a panel discussion, 

with BSL interpretation. The second screening will be a relaxed screening. 

Dripping with iconic 

moments...one of the greatest 

action movies of all-time. 

FAR OUT MAGAZINE 

CHARLIE’S ANGELS 15 

GERMANY & USA 2000 98 MINS 

DIRECTOR McG WITH Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, 

Lucy Liu, Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell 

PRINT SOURCE Filmbankmedia 

The bad guys don’t stand a chance in this electric action 

feature starring Lucy Liu (Alex), Drew Barrymore (Dylan) 

and Cameron Diaz (Natalie) as elite crime-fighting private 

investigators - Charlie’s Angels. Called into their LA-based 

agency, the agents are tasked with their latest mission, 

to find tech boss Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell), who they 

believe has been kidnapped by a rival organisation. With 

Barrymore spearheading this iconic reboot, and the trio’s 

endless hours working on their choreographed martial 

arts sequences with renowned Hong Kong stuntman 

Cheung-Yan Yuen, this film heralded in the new Y2K era of 

women-led action movies. 


SUN 

27 

12:10 

SAT 

26 

13:00

DOUBLE BILL 

YES, MADAM! 

HUANG JIA SHI JIE 

HONG KONG 1985 93 MINS 

Cantonese with English subtitles 

18 

DIRECTOR Corey Yuen WITH Michelle 

Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, John Sham, Hoi 

Mang, Hark Tsui, James Tien, Dick Wei, Fat 

Chung PRINT SOURCE Eureka Entertainment 

Enjoy this Michelle Yeoh double bill for 

the price of one single ticket! 

Michelle Yeoh (Inspector Ng) and Cynthia Rothrock (Inspector 

Carrie Morris) star in this action-packed martial arts drama as two 

tough-as-nails police inspectors, who team up to investigate the 

homicide of a British agent. 

WED 

30 

18:40 

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON 

WO HU CANG LONG 

TAIWAN, HONG KONG, 

USA & CHINA 2000 120 MINS 

Mandarin with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Ang Lee 

WITH Chow Yun-Fat, 

Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang 


32 


Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) features one of Michelle 

Yeoh’s most memorable roles and is widely regarded as one of the 

greatest films of the 21st century, earning ten Oscar nominations, four 

BAFTAs and two Golden Globes. This celebrated Wuxia novel adaptation 

tells the story of a young Chinese warrior who steals a sword from a 

famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure 

with a mysterious man. A compelling watch earning its critical acclaim 

by virtue of its tasteful drama and inciting action scenes. 

WED 

30 

20:30 

camfilmfest.com

COFFY 18 


DIRECTOR Jack Hill WITH Pam Grier, Booker Bradshaw, 

Robert DoQui PRINT SOURCE Filmbankmedia 

Pam Grier stars in one of her fiercest roles to date as ‘Coffy’ 

Coffin, a nurse who takes vigilante justice against inner-city drug 

pushers after she discovers that they have left her little sister 

hospitalised following a drug deal gone awry. 

FRI 

25 

20:30 

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G I F T C A R D 

T H O U S A N D S O F C H O I C E S 

USE IN 

OVER 180 

BUSINESSES 

EXPLORE 

CHERISH 

STAY 

BUY NOW 

To buy, search 

‘Cambridge BID Gift Card’ 

CHOOSE 

FROM £5 

TO £500 

delivered by 


FILM TIMES 

CAMBRIDGEFILMFESTIVAL2024 

THU 24 OCT 

Arts Picturehouse 

TTP Screen 1 

20:20 Bird 6 

There are no adverts 

or trailers before the 

films at Cambridge 

Film Festival. 

FRI 25 OCT 


TTP Screen 1 

12:40 In the Summers 43 

14:30 Nebelkind - The End 40 

of Silence 

16:20 Diving Into 24 

the Darkness 

18:20 Dahomey 13 

20:15 Anora 9 

Screen 2 

12:45 Silent Trees 41 

14:30 Something Must 

Break 

16:35 Here We Are Now 40 

18:00 Sujo 16 

20:30 Coffy 33 

22:10 You’re Not Me 29 

Screen 3 

13:25 The Keepers 25 

14:50 Girls’ Stories 44 

16:15 Norman/Norman 45 

18:10 Universal Language 16 

34 


camfilmfest.com

SAT 26 OCT SUN 27 OCT MON 28 OCT 


TTP Screen 1 

11:00 Frozen 2 60 



16:05 Christmas Eve in 14 

Miller’s Point 

18:20 Point Break 31 

21:10 Nightbitch 9 

Screen 2 


13:00 Charlie’s Angels 31 

15:00 As The Tide 23 

Comes In 

16:50 Grand Theft Hamlet 14 

18:40 A House on Fire 27 

20:45 Surprise Film 29 

Screen 3 


the Darkness 

13:20 Mother Vera 39 

15:15 War Tails 41 

16:40 The Stimming Pool 45 

Relaxed screening 

18:30 Sujo 16 

21:00 In The Land 15 

Of Brothers 


TTP Screen 1 

11:00 Madeline 62 



14:10 Harvey Greenfield 48 

Is Running Late 

16:25 Eephus 13 

18:20 Anora 9 

20:55 The Girl With 11 

The Needle 

Screen 2 

12:10 Point Break 31 


14:35 Flow 23 


16:20 Universal Language 16 

18:05 Get Out 47 

20:25 Bird 6 

Screen 3 

13:10 In The Land 15 

Of Brothers 


16:30 Werewolf 28 

18:35 The Teacher Who 27 

Promised The Sea 

21:00 In the Summers 43 


TTP Screen 1 

11:00 Shorts and Shadows 56 

12:45 CFF’s Annual State 50 

of the Industry Panel 

14:00 BFI NETWORK 51 

South East From 

Script to Screen 


South East Short 

Film Showcase 


South East A Writer’s 

Intuition: A Q&A with 

Nathan Bryon 

18:15 La Cocina 15 

20:55 All We Imagine 10 

As Light 

Screen 2 

11:15 Shorts and The 57 

Unexpected 

12:55 Shorts and Bravery 54 

14:40 Shorts on the Edge 59 

16:25 I Am What I Am 43 

18:30 The Universal Theory 17 

20:40 Eephus 13 

Screen 3 

11:25 Shorts for Families 58 

12:40 Shorts and 55 

Dark Laughs 


15:35 You’re Not Me 29 

18:00 Grand Theft Hamlet 14 

19:50 Dahomey 13 


GONVILLE HOTEL 

11:45 Film Hub South East 52 

FAN member training 

11:45 BFI FILM ACADEMY 52 

SCENE: Rewriting Your 

Role from Acting to 

Writing with Busayo Ige 


TUE 29 OCT 


TTP Screen 1 

11:00 Encanto 61 


13:35 Shorts for Families 58 


16:15 Mother Vera 39 

18:10 Nightbitch 9 

20:05 The Seed of the 11 

Sacred Fig 

Screen 2 

11:30 Shorts and Shadows 56 

13:15 A House on Fire 27 

15:20 The Stimming Pool 45 


16:50 Dory Previn: On My 44 

Way To Where 


18:30 The Girl With 11 

The Needle 

20:50 No Other Land 39 

Screen 3 


of Silence 

13:25 Judas and the Black 47 

Messiah 

15:55 The Teacher Who 27 

Promised The Sea 

18:00 Christmas Eve in 14 


WED 30 OCT 


TTP Screen 1 

11:00 Brave 61 


the Darkness 

14:50 Werewolf 28 

16:50 Shorts and 55 

Dark Laughs 

18:20 All We Imagine 10 

As Light 

20:30 Nickel Boys 10 

Screen 2 

12:00 Shorts and Bravery 54 



16:55 Dory Previn: On My 44 

Way To Where 


18:40 DOUBLE BILL: 32 

Yes, Madam! 

20:30 DOUBLE BILL: 32 

Crouching Tiger, 

Hidden Dragon 

Screen 3 


13:20 I Am What I Am 43 

15:25 Queen & Slim 48 

18:00 The Human 28 

Hibernation 

20:10 The Cigarette 24 

Surfboard 

THU 31 OCT 


TTP Screen 1 

11:00 Hocus Pocus 60 

13:20 The Human 28 

Hibernation 

15:20 La Cocina 15 

18:00 The Seed of the 11 

Sacred Fig 

21:10 A Real Pain 7 

Screen 2 

12:30 Shorts and The 57 

Unexpected 

14:10 The Cigarette 24 

Surfboard 

16:15 No Other Land 39 

18:15 Nickel Boys 10 

20:55 Get Out 47 

Screen 3 


of Silence 


14:55 Shorts on the Edge 59 

16:40 The Universal Theory 17 

19:00 Flow 23 

20:40 As The Tide Comes In 23 

SILVER 

SCREEN 

Silver Screen is aimed at over 60s and includes a free hot 

drink and biscuit at selected screenings that start before 

17:00 on Tuesday and Thursday at the Arts Picturehouse. 

36 


camfilmfest.com

Advance tickets can be purchased: 

ONLINE 

IN PERSON 

www.camfilmfest.com 

at the Arts Picturehouse 

Friend of the Festival £9.00 

Picturehouse Member £11.50 

Adult £12.50 

Concessions (Students/Children/Over 60s) 

Friend of the Festival - concession £8.00 

Picturehouse Member - concession £10.50 

Concession £11.50 

Daytime (before 5pm) 

Friend of the Festival £5.00 

Picturehouse Member £6.00 

Adult Daytime £7.00 

Family Film Festival FREE 

By becoming a Friend of the 

Cambridge Film Festival, you 

can support the UK’s third 

longest-running film festival 

and a year-round programme 

of educational activity and 

events. To become a Friend 

of the Festival, visit 

camfilmfest.com/ 

become-friend 

We look forward to welcoming 

guests to the Festival. Please 

visit the website for the most 

up-to-date information, as 

well as full details about 

accessibility, film content and 

trigger warnings. 

camfilmfest.com/guide 

38-39 St Andrew’s Street, 

Cambridge, CB2 3AR 

www.picturehouses.co.uk 

The Arts Picturehouse screens a year-round 

programme of the best in new and classic 

cinema over three screens. All screens are 

licensed, so you can take your drink from 

the café-bar in with you. You do not have 

to be a member to view films at the Arts 

Picturehouse, but if you are you’ll receive 

discounts on tickets. 

THE ARTS PICTUREHOUSE 


BELONGINGS 

As humans, we are always in search of a home, and belonging is 

a never-ending journey. We propose you trace the steps with this 

rich selection of films – documentaries and fiction alike – where 

everything is possible. By exploring the limits of 

familiarity and the unknown, these characters 

negotiate arbitrary boundaries in the hope 

of shared connections. Atop this strand 

sits No Other Land (2024), born out of the 

attempts of an Israeli and a Palestinian to 

reckon with the past and present. 

38 


camfilmfest.com

NO OTHER LAND 15 

PALESTINE & NORWAY 

2024 96 MINS 

Arabic, Hebrew, English with 


DIRECTORS Basel Adra, 

Hamdan Ballal, Yuval 

Abraham, Rachel Szor 

PRINT SOURCE Dogwoof 

Basel Adra, a young Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, has been fighting his 

community’s mass expulsion by the Israeli occupation since childhood. Basel 

documents the gradual erasure of Masafer Yatta, as soldiers destroy the homes of 

families - the largest single act of forced transfer ever carried out in the occupied 

West Bank. He crosses paths with Yuval, an Israeli journalist, and for over half 

a decade they fight against the expulsion while growing closer. This film, by a 

Palestinian-Israeli collective of four young activists, was co-created during the 

darkest, most terrifying times in the region, as an act of creative resistance to 

Apartheid and a search for a path towards equality and justice. 

MOTHER VERA CFF 

12 A 

UK 2024 91 MINS 

SAT TUE 

26 29 

13:20 16:15 

Belarusian, French, English with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Cécile Embleton, Alys Tomlinson 

PRINT SOURCE INDOX 

A remote Orthodox monastery in Belarus has become 

a respite for the lost. Mother Vera first entered the 

community twenty years ago to seek freedom from guilt 

and a chance for a new beginning. Having stayed longer 

than she initially planned, Vera has formed a special 

bond with the horses in the monastery stable, often 

preferring their company to that of the humans. It is that 

human-animal bond that will make her realise she has 

perhaps outgrown her own self-inflicted confines. With 

striking black and white cinematography and directed 

by Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson, Mother Vera 

(2024) explores the inner and outer worlds of a woman 

seeking absolution, and finding herself. 

TUE 

29 

20:50 


THU 

31 

16:15

HERE WE 

ARE NOW 

UK 2024 62 MINS 

Ukrainian, Russian with 


CFF 

15 

DIRECTOR Miriam Henri 

WITH Natalia Panteleeva, Olena M., Andriy O. 

PRINT SOURCE Miriam Film Ltd. 

Director Miriam Henri offers an emotional 

documentary that looks at the lives of three 

Ukrainian refugees who now live in the UK, 

Brazil and Germany respectively. They each 

share their stories of escape from Russian 

occupation in Mariupol, and the hardships 

they’ve experienced whilst assimilating to new 

cultures as they rebuild their lives. 

FRI 

25 

16:35 

WED 

30 

15:30 

THU 

31 

13:30 

INTL 


NEBELKIND - THE END OF SILENCE 

AUSTRIA & CZECH REPUBLIC 

2024 94 MINS 

German, Czech with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Tereza Kotyk 

WITH Jeanne Werner, Klára Melísková, 

Susanne Michel 

PRINT SOURCE Plan C Filmproduktion 

40 


CFF 

15 

On the trail of a runaway wolf, wolf guardian Hannah (Jeanne Werner) 

reluctantly visits her grandmother’s native Czech village, close to the 

Austrian border. Hannah’s mother lives here and is treated as a social 

outcast due to her attempts at coming to terms with her traumatic 

family history. Hannah, too, can no longer escape the secrets of the 

past. It is time to break the silence. 

FRI 

25 

14:30 

TUE 

29 

11:35 

THU 

31 

11:35 

camfilmfest.com

UK 


SILENT TREES 

POLAND 2024 84 MINS 

Polish with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Agnieszka Zwiefka 

PRINT SOURCE KFF Sales & 

Promotion 

CFF 

15 

Agnieszka Zwiefka‘s quietly tender documentary follows 16-year-old Kurdish 

refugee Runa and her grieving family, who have experienced a traumatic loss at 

the border between Belarus and Poland. Forced to grow up in a Polish refugee 

camp, Runa is torn between grappling with her heavy past and making hopeful 

plans for the future. 

FRI 

25 

12:45 

SAT 

26 

13:05 

WED 

30 

13:45 

EURO 


WAR 

TAILS 

CFF 

15 

SAT 

26 

15:15 

CANADA 2024 63 MINS 

English, Ukrainian, Russian with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Olha Byrledianu 

WITH Khrystyna Drahomaretska, Dan Fine, 

Adam Parascandola, Charles Rupprecht, Natalia 

Sokolova, Pavel Burkatskij 

PRINT SOURCE Fine Dog Films 

Ukrainian director Olha Byrledianu’s feature debut 

tackles an unforeseen consequence of Russia’s 

invasion in Ukraine, namely the surge of homeless 

pets. The lack of support for formerly domesticated 

animals is rarely talked about in a human refugee 

crisis of this scale, but War Tails (2024) brings 

precisely this issue to our attention. Highlighting the 

growth and spread of rabies, the documentary has a 

humanitarian cause at its heart and is supported by 

the Ukraine War Animals Relief Fund. 

MON 

28 

14:10 

TUE 

29 

14:50 


OTHERWISE 

Gleaned from the fringes of mainstream representation, this 

selection of titles offers a fresh, insightful look at what it means 

to be neurodivergent, queer, vulnerable; 

in other words, human. We’re all 

multifaceted creatures and cinema 

surely knows how to show it. In 

this new strand, we introduce 

you to the concept of an 

autistic camera; intentional 

attempts to destigmatise 

mental health; overcoming 

trauma through the cathartic 

medium of film; and 

celebrating the joys of being 

together, but different. 

42 


camfilmfest.com

I AM WHAT I AM 

SOBAKASU 

JAPAN 2022 104 MINS 

Japanese with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Shinya Tamada 

WITH Tôko Miura, Atsuko 

Maeda, Marika Itô, 

Takumi Kitamura 

PRINT SOURCE Nagoya 

Broadcasting Network 

CFF 

18 

MON 

28 

16:25 

WED 

30 

13:20 

Presented in collaboration with Queer 

East, a cross-disciplinary festival that 

showcases boundary-pushing LGBTQ+ 

cinema, live arts, and moving image 

work from East and Southeast Asia and 

its diaspora communities. 

Kasumi (Tôko Miura) is almost 30, single, and still lives with her parents – 

but, she doesn’t seem to mind that. As her colleagues and family drag her to 

double dates and arranged marriage meetings, she slowly, but surely, asserts 

herself in the world. A couple of chance encounters help her come to terms 

with a truth she’s known for years but hasn’t had the courage to voice – she 

simply does not feel sexual attraction, nor interest in romantic relationships. 

Shinya Tamada’s skillful direction and Tôko Miura’s outstanding lead 

performance craft a refreshing story about a subject rarely explored in cinema. 

UK 


IN THE SUMMERS 


English, Spanish with English subtitles 


CFF 

15 

DIRECTOR Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio 

WITH René Pérez Joglar, Sasha Calle, Lío Mehiel, 

Leslie Grace PRINT SOURCE Outsider Pictures 

Violeta and Eva are two sisters who visit their loving but reckless 

father Vicente every summer in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

A beautifully fitting look at transient times spent together, In the 

Summers (2024) traces these memories with wholeheartedness 

and gusto. The sisters share brilliant moments as their dad 

coaxes them to mountaintop sunrises and starry nights in deserts 

to teach them about the universe. However, some of their 

adventures turn out to be unpredictable, both in their trajectories, 

but also in the way they serve as connections. Familial wounds 

and memories to keep—all this and more awaits in this Sundance 

Film Festival stand out. 

FRI 

25 

12:40 

SUN 

27 

21:00

DORY PREVIN: ON MY WAY TO WHERE 


DIRECTORS Julia Greenberg 

& Dianna Dilworth 

WITH Dory Previn 

PRINT SOURCE Record 

Breaker Films 

CFF 

12 A 

TUE 

29 

16:50 

Dory Previn: On My Way to Where (2024) is a sensitive documentary about 1970s 

cult singer-songwriter Dory Previn who received three Oscar nominations for her 

lyrics and famously went public about her schizophrenia diagnosis. Co-directors 

Julia Greenberg and Dianna Dilworth bring their respective musical and journalistic 

backgrounds to this touching documentary that sees Previn as a forerunner of the 

modern-day neurodiversity movement. Relying on a rich source of archival interviews, 

performances and Dory’s own journals and memoirs, the two recount Previn’s career. 

This documentary testifies to the need for acceptance of neurodiversity as one 

solution to addressing the current mental health crisis in the USA and the world. 

WED 

30 

16:55 

44 

UK 



GIRLS’ STORIES 

CFF 

12 A 

DZIEWCZYŃSKIE HISTORIE 

POLAND 2023 62 MINS 

Polish with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Aga Borzym 

PRINT SOURCE KFF Sales & Promotion 

SAT 

26 

14:45 

The kids are going to be alright – that’s one lesson 

we can take away from Aga Borzym’s charming film. 

Girls’ Stories (2023) is a capsule documentary, narrated 

by the charismatic Jagoda and Zuzia, who mull 

over their changing emotions, bodies and reflect on 

society’s pressure on young people today. Amidst their 

musings there are shrieks of laughter, the clattering 

of games played in the park, as well as birthday party 

dance routines - there is always fun to be had and 

they don’t take this for granted. Playful and vibrant, 

sharp and sweet, Girls’ Stories (2023) will make you 

appreciate these moments of shared vulnerability. 

FRI 

25 

14:50 

SUN 

27 

15:05 

camfilmfest.com

EURO 


NORMAN/NORMAN 


DIRECTORS Gabrielle Blackwood 

& Charles Warburton 

WITH Norman Davy 

PRINT SOURCE Tini House 

Pictures 

CFF 

15 

FRI 

25 

16:15 

A raw exploration of trauma and reckoning, Norman/Norman (2024) tackles 

themes of domestic and gun violence, as well as their aftermath, using a personal 

storyline. After witnessing the brutal murder of his mother 30 years ago, Norman 

travels to Jamaica to piece together what happened and where he came from by 

confronting the murderer: his father. Directors Gabrielle Blackwood and Charles 

Warburton approach the heavy subject matter with a sense of hope, and their 

use of intimately-framed visual language is a testament to their commitment to 

a respectful and poignant filmmaking practice. In their own words, this is not a 

crime story, but one of a man in search of understanding. 

SAT 

26 

11:15 

WED 

30 

11:35 

THE STIMMING 

CFF 

POOL U 

UK 2024 70 MINS 

DIRECTORS Sam Chown Ahern, Georgia Bradburn, 

Benjamin Brown, Robin Elliott-Knowles, Lucy 

Walker & Steven Eastwood 

PRINT SOURCE INDOX 

Created by director Steven Eastwood in collaboration 

with a collective of five neurodivergent artists, 

The Stimming Pool (2024) is a sensory experimental 

documentary that aims to express different 

neurodivergent perspectives on navigating a world 

that can be both chaotic and mundane. 

SAT 

26 

16:40 

TUE 

29 

15:20 


OUTSTANDING 

CONTRIBUTION 

AWARD 

We are delighted to honour the brilliant Daniel Kaluuya with this 

award at the 43rd edition of the Festival. A multifaceted actor, 

writer, producer and director, his performances have earned him 

an Oscar, multiple BAFTAs and a Golden Globe. He brings depth, 

charm and a subtle unpredictability to each of his characters, 

resonating with audiences. 

46 


camfilmfest.com

GET OUT 15 

USA 2017 104 MINS 

DIRECTOR Jordan Peele 

WITH Daniel Kaluuya, Alison 

Williams, Bradley Whitford, 

Caleb Landry Jones 


SUN 

27 

18:05 

THU 

31 

20:55 

Director Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking debut blends horror and social satire in 

this modern classic. When Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black man, visits the 

family estate of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams), he senses something 

is amiss. What begins as an awkward weekend of uncomfortable encounters 

quickly spirals into a nightmare as Chris uncovers the terrifying secrets of Rose’s 

family. Peele masterfully balances suspense, humour and a biting critique of race 

relations in contemporary America, crafting a chilling tale that lingers long after 

the credits roll. A genre-defying thriller that remains entertaining and thoughtprovoking 

Get Out (2017) has cemented itself as a must-see of the 21st century. 

JUDAS AND THE 

BLACK MESSIAH 15 

USA 2021 126 MINS 

TUE 

29 

13:25 

DIRECTOR Shaka King 

WITH Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons 


In late 1960s Chicago, FBI informant William O’Neal (LaKeith 

Stanfield) infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther 

Party, drawn into the orbit of its charismatic chairman, Fred 

Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). As he rises through the ranks, O’Neal 

is caught between loyalty to his FBI handler and his growing 

admiration for Hampton’s powerful oratory and vision for 

social change. Shaka King’s gripping historical drama captures 

the tension and tragedy of a turbulent period, exploring the 

complex intersections of race, power and betrayal. With an 

Oscar-winning performance from Daniel Kaluuya, this is a 

compelling and urgent portrayal of a movement under siege. 


QUEEN & SLIM 15 

USA 2019 132 MINS 

DIRECTOR Melina Matsoukas 

WITH Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie 

Turner-Smith, Bokeem 

Woodbine, Chloë Sevigny 

PRINT 

SOURCE Filmbankmedia 

CAMBRIDGE CONNECTIONS 

Melina Matsoukas’ Queen & Slim (2019) kicks off with a first date gone wrong and 

never lets up. When an Ohio traffic stop turns deadly, our heroes – a sharp-tongued 

lawyer and her God-fearing date – are thrust into a high-stakes journey across 

America. Dubbed ‘the Black Bonnie and Clyde’ by the media, they navigate a 

minefield of systemic racism and unexpected allies. Fresh from a career directing 

music videos, Matsoukas brings visual swagger to her debut feature. Every frame 

pops, from Southern highways to underground clubs. But beneath the lush visuals 

lurks an exploration of injustice that’ll make you squirm. Equal parts love story and 

political powder keg, Queen & Slim (2019) is an unforgettable ride. 

WED 

30 

15:25 

The Cambridge Film Festival is thrilled to launch Cambridge Connections, a new initiative dedicated to showcasing 

local filmmaking talent and fostering a more dynamic film industry in Cambridge. We are excited to present… 

HARVEY GREENFIELD 

CFF 

IS RUNNING LATE 15 

UK 2023 94 MINS 

DIRECTOR Jonnie Howard 

WITH Lauren Aldersond, Annette Badlan, Liz Barker 

PRINT SOURCE Screenlooker Productions 

When an indecisive people pleaser is running late for the 

world’s busiest day, his misguided decisions escalate 

towards a single choice that risks everything he holds 

dear. Harvey Greenfield is Running Late is a frenetic 

comedy adapted from Cambridge writer Paul Richard’s 

critically acclaimed one-man play, performed at the 

2019 Edinburgh Fringe. Directed, co-produced and 

co-written by Jonnie Howard in his feature debut, 

the film was shot entirely in Cambridgeshire over 

21 days with a local crew, celebrating Cambridge 

both on and off-screen. 

SUN 

27 

14:10 

48 


camfilmfest.com

CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL 

INDUSTRY DAY 

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER 

Join us for a day packed with opportunities to network, 

gain insights from industry experts and create new 

relationships in the filmmaking world. 

Whether you’re just starting out or are already established in the industry, 

this is an event you won’t want to miss! 

Book your ‘pay what you can’ accreditation: camfilmfest.com/industry-day 

In partnership with 

TIMETABLE at the Arts Picturehouse 

11:00 - 16:15 

ShortFusion 

Premieres 

12:45 - 13:45 CFF’s Annual State of the Industry Panel 

14:00 - 15:15 BFI NETWORK South East From Script to Screen 

15:30 - 16:30 BFI NETWORK South East Short Film Showcase 

16:45 - 17:45 BFI NETWORK South East A Writer’s Intuition: A Q&A with Nathan Bryon (Rye Lane) 

From 17:45 

Networking Drinks 


11:00-16:15 

SHORTFUSION PREMIERES 

We are thrilled to open Industry Day with the 

premiere of the Cambridge Film Festival’s renowned 

short films strand. 

Check out the programme on pages 54 to 59. 

12:45-13:45 

CFF’S ANNUAL STATE OF THE INDUSTRY PANEL 

CFF’s Annual State of the Industry Panel brings together professionals from across the 

sector to explore the key developments in the film industry over the past year. 

With BSL interpretation. 

AMON WARMANN has been a film and TV critic for over a decade and became 

a contributing editor and monthly columnist at Empire magazine in 2020. He 

reviews films weekly on talkSPORT Radio, co-hosts the Fade to Black podcast, and 

has written for Variety, British GQ, Daily Mirror, and Heat. He’s also appeared on 

Sky Cinema, BBC News, and Channel 4. 

HUGO EMMERZAEL is an Amsterdam-based film critic and programmer. He edits 

the Dutch magazine Filmkrant and contributes to MUBI’s Notebook, Senses 

of Cinema, and Talking Shorts. His curatorial work spans experimental and 

mainstream cinema at film festivals and the Eye Film Museum. He has also served 

on FIPRESCI juries at Cannes, Karlovy Vary, Venice, and more. 

BILLIE MELISSA ROGAN is a filmmaker, film journalist, and founder of 54:17, a 

production company that tells the stories of families with loved ones on death row 

in the USA. Their latest film, Fighting to Live, While Waiting to Die, follows Billie Allen, 

an innocent man on federal death row. Billie also writes for Men’s Journal and has 

contributed to Film Stories, AwardsWatch, and Offscreen Central. 

DR SARAH GIBSON YATES is a Senior Lecturer in Film, Media and Writing; and Course 

Director for the BA (Hons) Media and Communications at Anglia Ruskin University’s 

Cambridge School of Creative Industries. Her research focuses on multidisciplinary 

creative practice and the impact of new technologies on film, writing and creativity. 

Her latest work explores the creative impact of generative AI on screenwriting and 

fiction film narratives. 

50 


camfilmfest.com

14:00-15:15 

BFI NETWORK South East 

FROM SCRIPT 

TO SCREEN 

INDUSTRY DAY 

Watch BFI NETWORK supported short film 

Essex Girls (dir. Yero Timi-Biu), followed by 

an industry talk with writer and lead actor 

Busayo Ige. 


15:30-16:30 


SHORT FILM SHOWCASE 

Watch a selection of BFI NETWORK 

supported short films. 

Monitor 

DIRECTOR Margo Roe 

16:45-17:45 


A WRITER’S 

INTUITION 

A Q&A with Nathan Bryon (Rye Lane) 

O, Glory! 

DIRECTORS Joe Williams 

& Charlie Edwards-Moss 

Shoot Your Shot 

DIRECTOR Mishaal Memon 

Longing 

DIRECTOR Courteney Tan 

With descriptive subtitles and BSL 

interpretation. 

Hear from actor and BAFTA nominated writer 

Nathan Bryon about his dynamic career and 

experience in writing for different mediums, 

including co-writing his debut feature Rye Lane. 


From 17:45 

NETWORKING 

DRINKS 

Come and toast the end to another 

great Industry Day at the Cambridge 

Film Festival! 


ALSO ON INDUSTRY DAY 

11:45 - 14:45 

FILM HUB SOUTH EAST 

FAN MEMBER TRAINING 

As part of Cambridge Film Festival’s Industry 

Day, Film Hub South East is organising a training 

session for hub members within the region, 

covering both working with distributors and 

repertory programming. 

AT GONVILLE HOTEL 

11:45-13:45 

BFI FILM ACADEMY SCENE 

REWRITING YOUR ROLE 

FROM ACTING TO WRITING 

WITH BUSAYO IGE 

For ages 16-25 

Hear how Busayo Ige 

transitioned from actor to 

writer on her BFI NETWORK 

supported short film 

Essex Girls. Network, ask 

questions and gain insights to 

help your film career. 

These events are not included with your Industry Day accreditation. If you are eligible for these events, you can 

book here: 

camfilmfest.com/industry-day 

Film and Media 

Courses for your 

creative career: 

BA Film 

BA Film & Media 

BA or MA Film & TV 

Production 

BA Media & 

Communication 

BA Media 

Production 

BA Writing & Film 

MPhil & PhD 

University of 

the Year 

Find out 

more: 

52 


camfilmfest.com

SHORT 

FUSION 

Discover a dynamic array of films addressing 

personal challenges, global connections and inventive 

storytelling. Experience emotional depth, suspenseful 

moments and nuanced humor, reflecting the 

multifaceted nature of our modern world through 

these six stimulating short film programmes. 


SHORTS 

BRAVERY 

CFF 

15 

GAME RULES 

SWEDEN 2024 12 mins 

DIRECTOR Christian Zetterberg 

A youth handball team prepares for their first 

major tournament, but adults’ interference 

raises questions about who’s truly ‘allowed’ 

to play. 

90 mins Battling inner struggles, overcoming prejudice, 

and emerging stronger in conviction. 

This strand includes themes of war and sex. 

10 DAYS 

UK & SERBIA 2024 25 mins 

DIRECTOR Anastasia Savinova 

AIN’T NUFF TIME 

UK 2024 25 mins 

DIRECTOR Andy Twyman 

UK 


Mitchell, a young prisoner struggling with 

trust issues and dyslexia, endures a broken 

system. His life changes when new cellmate 

Anthony introduces him to art. 

SISTER WIVES 

UK 2024 28 mins 

DIRECTOR Louisa Connolly-Burnham 

MON 

28 

12:55 

WED 

30 

12:00 

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine begins, 

Lena struggles to convince her Russian family 

of the war’s reality, driving them towards a 

painful rift. 

In 2003, two young women living with their 

husband in a strict, polygamous society 

grapple with their feelings in a harsh, 

watchful community, while dreaming of 

an escape. 

54 CambridgeFilmFestival2024 camfilmfest.com

SHORTS 

DARKLAUGHSWED 

REBELS WITH CAUSE 

UK 2024 14 mins 

DIRECTOR Rosie Baldwin 

72 mins Weaving through various themes with a blend 

of humour and sensitivity. This strand includes themes 

of violence. 

ESSENTIALLY 

PAINLESS 

INTL 

UK 2024 15 mins 

DIRECTOR Sam Seccombe 


MON 

28 

12:40 

30 

16:50 

MINISTRY 

OF JINGLE 

NEW ZEALAND 2023 12 mins 

DIRECTOR Maddie Dai 

Two rebels embark on a guerrilla 

gardening mission in London, but 

meeting the ‘Original Gardeners’ 

tests their beliefs and friendship. 

UNPRECEDENTED 

CRIME 

INTL 

UK 2024 7 mins 

DIRECTORS Samuel Hurlock 

& Joseph Beverley 


When Ella makes an emergency 

visit to a sexual health clinic, 

her ludicrous experience leaves 

her questioning the value of her 

own voice. 

WWJD? 

USA 2024 14 mins 

DIRECTOR Dempsey Bryk 

At the Ministry of Jingle, new hire 

Melody faces a tsunami crisis 

while juggling light-hearted jingles 

and climate change fears. 

SLEEPYHEAD 

UK 2023 10 mins 

DIRECTOR Milly Garnier 

Frank and Ollie start their first day 

in crime, only to find it’s nothing 

like their favourite movies. 

Three LA girls drag the body of a 

man they accidentally ran over 

through the desert, debating the 

most politically correct way to 

dispose of it. 

Chronically ill and imaginative 

17-year-old Rae, dreams of escape 

and revenge while navigating 

a suffocating bedroom and 

dismissive friends. 

#CFF43 


55

SHORTS 

CFF 

15 

86 mins Exploring fear, resilience and the intricate balance of light and dark. 

This strand includes themes of bereavement and violence. 

LADYBUG 

EURO 


DIRECTOR Daniela Schrier Kafshi 


WINTER SONG 

UK 2024 14 mins 

DIRECTOR Kate Graham 

SHADOWS 

MON 

28 

11:00 

TUE 

29 

11:30 

On the anniversary of her daughter’s death, 

Ronnie is commemorating the day with a 

surprising act, and we’re along for the ride. 

TRAVEL SOCKS 

INTL 

UK 2024 19 mins 

DIRECTORS Tess Annan & Joseph Madden 


During the COVID-19 lockdown, Orla (‘Socks’) 

leaves Belfast for a safe abortion and faces 

unexpected challenges while keeping her 

journey secret from her caring family. 

A composer’s reality unravels in an isolated 

Yorkshire house as she battles the demands 

of work and early motherhood. 

UNWELL WOMAN 

UK 2024 14 mins 

DIRECTOR Daniella DeVinter 

INTL 


Dark academia just got darker... A 

Cambridge University student uncovers 

a haunting painting, unleashing a legacy 

of psychological torment and female 

oppression. 

REMAINS 

UK 2024 20 mins 

DIRECTOR Theja Rio 

UK 


A Windrush migrant, employed as a servant 

on an estate, begins to suspect he was hired 

not just to serve, but to be the manor’s most 

prized possession. 


SHORTS 

THEUNEXPECTEDTHU 

CFF 

15 

LONE WOLVES 

UK 2024 22 mins 

DIRECTOR Oliver Cane 

82 mins Surprising narratives with playful twists 

and unexpected outcomes across varied worlds. 

INTL 


MON 

28 

11:15 

LAURA LIVING BACKWARDS 

UK 2024 15mins 

DIRECTOR Kate Horlor 

31 

12:30 

Two conspiracy theorists break into a lab, desperate 

to uncover evidence that will prove their wild 

theories true. 

CHEAT MEAL 


DIRECTOR Drew Bierut 

EURO 


ShortFusion 

Unexpected 

A reluctant time traveller robs a bank on her birthday 

to change the fate of the man who arrests her, and 

maybe her own. 

WANDER TO WONDER 

BELGIUM 2023 13 mins 

DIRECTOR Nina Gantz 

Owen suspects his girlfriend is cheating with her 

personal trainer. What he discovers is far harder to 

digest than infidelity. 

MARRIAGE UNPLUGGED 

INTL 

SWITZERLAND 2024 15 mins 

DIRECTORS Florine Nüesch & Kim Nüesch 


Unhappy in their marriage, Suzanna and Andrew buy 

a male sex robot called James, who consequently 

uncovers the deep fractures in their relationship. 

Wander to Wonder follows three tiny human actors 

trapped in furry costumes for 30 years, struggling to 

survive after their creator’s death. 

#CFF43 


57

FORFAMILIES 

SHORTS 

U 

56 mins Global short films exploring family, friendship 

and the world we must protect. 

NO ONE IS AN ISLAND 

UK 2024 10 mins 

DIRECTOR David Bunting 

UK 


TENNIS, ORANGES 


DIRECTOR Sean Pecknold 

MON 

28 

11:25 

TUE 

29 

13:35 

Through an animated conversation, scientists 

explore if everyone can live well without harming the 

environment and reveal how hope and creativity can 

inspire change. 

RICE BALL 

TAIWAN 2024 3 mins 

DIRECTOR Kristina Pringle 

A British East Asian schoolgirl confronts her fears and 

seeks acceptance, when her home-cooked lunch is 

scrutinised by classmates. 

AMY AND FROG 

CHINA 2023 11 mins 

DIRECTOR Paul Williams 

UK 


A lonely young girl meets a mythical being 

at the park and embarks on an adventure 

to a magical world of friendship. 

A burnt-out robotic vacuum quits its hospital job to 

find purpose and community, meeting two lonely 

rabbits trapped in endless routines. 

MAGIC CANDIES 

JAPAN 2023 21 mins 

DIRECTOR Daisuke NISHIO 

Dong-Dong, often overlooked by other kids, 

discovers magical candies that allow him to converse 

with everyday objects, leading to surprising and 

unforgettable conversations. 


89 mins Thrilling storytelling showcasing intense, edge-of-your-seat experiences. 

This strand includes themes of violence, war, substance use and power abuse. 

VOYAGER 

SPAIN 2023 20 mins 

DIRECTOR Pablo Pagán 

A shy and timid night janitor in Barcelona 

discovers a drug that lets her transcend her 

physical self, breaking isolation and allowing 

her to pursue connections—yet her newfound 

freedom comes with a steep cost. 

DOGTOWN 


DIRECTOR Grant Narasin 

INTL 


A vulnerable drug dealer in Venice Beach 

scrambles for her life after a murder-for-hire 

goes disastrously wrong. 

HARD TIMES 

UK 2023 19 mins 

DIRECTORS Elliott Gonzo & Elliot Warren 

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS 

UK 2023 20 mins 

DIRECTOR Franz Böhm 

Based on a true story, a father and son 

running a makeshift hospital on the war front 

face a tough choice when enemy soldiers 

approach. 

SYNCOPE 

SWITZERLAND 2023 20 mins 

DIRECTOR Linus von Stumberg 

UK 


Whim and her ensemble must dance for their 

lives in Syncope, a harrowing performance led 

by a master who will go to any lengths for a 

triumphant performance. 

ONTHEEDGE 

MON 

28 

14:40 

SHORTS 

THU 

31 

14:55 

In Hackney, ‘Danny faces the 

challenges of fatherhood in a society 

stacked against him, leading to a risky 

choice that endangers his daughter. 

#CFF43 


59

FAMILY FILM 

The FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL is back this autumn half term with a blast, showing five free 

family‐friendly films! These daring and dynamic movies are full of joy, adventure and courage, 

celebrating our differences and what connects us, as well as a special Halloween pick. Each morning 

screening will be accompanied by activities in the Arts Picturehouse restaurant! 

For more fun, join us in the cinema restaurant an hour before 

each family screening for arts and crafts. 

FESTIVAL 

FROZEN 2 U 

USA & JAPAN 2019 103 MINS 

DIRECTORS Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee 

WITH Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, 

Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling 

K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred 

Molina, Ciarán Hinds 


SAT 

26 

11:00 

Family 

Film Festival 

screenings are 

FREE 

for all 

Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) are back with another 

adventure! When Elsa hears a voice calling her from far away, she 

sets off on a mission to find its source, beyond the safety of Arendelle 

through enchanted lands and waters. The journey leads her to a 

profound moment of self-discovery as she finds out who she really is. 

The sequel to the 2013 smash hit, Frozen 2 (2019) reunites our favourite 

characters from Arendelle for a new adventure full of songs and charm. 

60 


HOCUS POCUS PG 


English, French with English subtitles 

DIRECTOR Kenny Ortega 

WITH Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy 

Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw 


When teenage boy Max (Omri Katz) accidentally 

resurrects a gang of three sister witches from their 

300 years of slumber, he and his little sister Dani 

THU 

31 

11:00 

(Thora Birch) must stop the witches from becoming 

immortal and terrorising their hometown of Salem. 

camfilmfest.com

BRAVE PG 

USA, UK & JAPAN 2012 

93 MINS 

DIRECTORS Mark Andrews, 

Brenda Chapman & Steve 

Purcell 

WITH Kelly Macdonald, Billy 

Connolly, Emma Thompson, 

Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, 

Craig Ferguson 


Set in the Scottish Highlands, feisty Merida (Kelly 

Macdonald), daughter of King Fergus (Billy Connolly) 

and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), doesn’t want 

to follow the traditional path in life for a princess. 

Her struggles for independence lead her to make a 

catastrophic mistake when a witch grants her a wish which 

turns into a curse, a curse which threatens the happiness 

of her family and the kingdom itself. Brave (2012) explores 

the love, relationships and struggles between mothers and 

daughters, and one princess’s fight for freedom. 

WED 

30 

11:00 

Relaxed 

ENCANTO U 

USA 2021 102 MINS 

English & Spanish 

screening 

DIRECTORS Jared Bush, Byron Howard & Charise 

Castro Smith 

WITH Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, María 

Cecilia Botero, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, 

Jess Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitan 


Mirabelle (Stephanie Beatriz) feels very ordinary 

within her remarkable, magical family. As a longhidden 

mystery is revealed, family relationships 

start to fray and the magic starts to unravel at 

Casa Madrigal. Can Mirabelle save the family and 

find her hidden magic within? Disney and Lin- 

Manuel Miranda’s second animated collaboration 

after Moana (2016), Encanto (2021) is packed full 

of great tunes, including the smash hit ‘We Don’t 

Talk About Bruno’. Fun for all the family! 

TUE 

29 

11:00 


MADELINE U 

USA & FRANCE 1998 88 MINS 

English, French & Spanish 

DIRECTOR Daisy von Scherler Mayer 

WITH Frances McDormand, Nigel 

Hawthorne, Hatty Jones, Ben Daniels, 

Stephane Audran, Arturo Venegas, 

Katia Caballero, Chantal Neuwirth 


Relaxed 

screening 

Adapted from Ludwig Bemelman’s hugely successful children’ book 

series, Madeline (1998) tells the story of young orphan Madeleine (Hatty 

Jones) who resides at a Parisian boarding school. Cared for by the 

loving but stern nun, Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand), Madeline fights 

to save her school from being closed down by the mean Lord Covington 

(Nigel Hawthorne) and finds herself on an adventure full of mischief, 

peril and fun. Starring Hatty Jones, Frances McDormand and Nigel 

Hawthorne, Madeline (1998) is entertainment for all the family. 

SUN 

27 

11:00 

A 

Award-winning 

chauffeur cars and 

MPVs - taking you 

from A to B safely 

and in style 

B 

Ride in style. Arrive on time. 

Download the Airport Lynx app 

airportlynx.co.uk | 01223 440040 | info@airportlynx.co.uk 

62 


camfilmfest.com

AUDIENCE AWARDS 

Did you know that each year the Cambridge Film Festival presents a number of prestigious 

awards—and YOU can vote for them? 

Features premiering at the Festival, along with all our shorts, are eligible for our 

Audience Awards, decided by you, our audience. 

If the film you’re watching is eligible, a festival team member will hand you a voting card. 

Be sure to cast your vote and help us choose the winners! 

To see past winners and explore other festival awards, visit our website. 

camfilmfest.com/awards-history 

Join the conversation and follow 

Cambridge Film Festival 

#CFF43 

facebook.com/ 

cambridgefilmfestival 

instagram.com/ 

camfilmfest 

x.com/camfilmfest 

tiktok.com/ 

@camfilmfest 

letterboxd.com/ 

CamFilmFest 

Subscribe to our newsletter at camfilmfest.com to stay updated! 


MAIN FUNDER 

DONOR 

SUPPORTERS 

CULTURAL INSTITUTES 

EDUCATION PARTNER 

FOUNDATIONS, INSTITUTIONS AND TRUSTS 

MEDIA PARTNERS 

VENUE PARTNER 

64 

Special thanks to: our Festival Friends & Patrons, amazing volunteers, venue staff, 

and hard-working film submissions reviewers 


camfilmfest.com

The Gonville Hotel has been privately 

owned by the same family for four 

generations. Located directly opposite 

Parker’s Piece and just a short walk 

from the picturesque city centre, the 

Gonville Hotel offers private gardens, 

a newly launched restaurant, wellness 

rooms, event spaces, live jazz, and 

a truly individual sense of hospitality, 

making it the ideal place for 

unforgettable stays. 

Gonville Hotel, Gonville Place, 

Cambridge, CB1 1LY 

www.gonvillehotel.co.uk 

sales@ gonvillehotel.co.uk 

01223 366611 


INDEX 

FEATURES 

A House On Fire 27 

A Real Pain 7 

All We Imagine As Light 10 

Anora 9 

As The Tide Comes In 23 

Bird 6 

Brave 61 

Charlie’s Angels 31 

Christmas Eve in 14 


Coffy 33 

Crouching Tiger, 32 

Hidden Dragon 

Dahomey 13 

Diving Into the Darkness 24 

Dory Previn: On My Way 44 

To Where 

Eephus 13 

Encanto 61 

Flow 23 

Frozen 2 60 

Get Out 47 

Girls’ Stories 44 

Grand Theft Hamlet 14 

Harvey Greenfield is 48 

Running Late 

Here We Are Now 40 

Hocus Pocus 60 

I Am What I Am 43 

In the Land of Brothers 15 

In The Summers 43 

Judas and the Black Messiah 47 

La Cocina 15 

66 


Madeline 62 

Mother Vera 39 

Nebelkind - The End 40 

of Silence 

Nickel Boys 10 

Nightbitch 9 

No Other Land 39 

Norman/Norman 45 

Point Break 31 

Queen & Slim 48 

Silent Trees 41 

Sujo 16 

Surprise film 29 

The Cigarette Surfboard 24 

The Girl with the Needle 11 

The Human Hibernation 28 

The Keepers 25 

The Seed of the Sacred Fig 11 

The Stimming Pool 45 

The Teacher Who Promised 27 

The Sea 

The Universal Theory 17 

Universal Language 16 

War Tails 41 

Werewolf 28 

Yes, Madam! 32 

You’re Not Me 29 

SHORTS 

Ain’t Nuff Time 54 

Amy and Frog 58 

Cheat Meal 57 

Dogtown 59 

Essentially Painless 55 

Game Rules 54 

Hard Times 59 

Ladybug 56 

Laura Living Backwards 57 

Lone Wolves 57 

Magic Candies 58 

Marriage Unplugged 57 

Ministry of Jingle 55 

No One is an Island 58 

Rebels With Cause 55 

Remains 56 

Rice Ball 58 

Rock Paper Scissors 59 

Sister Wives 54 

Sleepyhead 55 

Syncope 59 

10 Days 54 

Tennis, Oranges 58 

Travel Socks 56 

Unprecedented Crime 55 

Unwell Woman 56 

Voyager 59 

Wander to Wonder 57 

Winter Song 56 

WWJD? 55 

Shorts and Bravery 54 

Shorts and Dark Laughs 55 

Shorts and Shadows 56 

Shorts and the Unexpected 57 

Shorts for Families 58 

Shorts on the Edge 59 

camfilmfest.com

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43rd Cambridge Film Festival Brochure

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