Cheltenham International Film Festival "Unplugged"

15 September - 6 October

In 2025, Unplugged takes films directly to our audiences, reaching into diverse communities — from cinemas and theatres to pubs, church halls, schools, colleges, universities, and even restaurants — in and around Cheltenham and beyond. By bringing independent cinema into both familiar venues and unexpected spaces, Unplugged turns film into a shared local experience, sparking connection and conversation.

UNPLUGGED

CineYouth is our year-round programme for young people, opening doors to cinema as audience, culture, and career. From family screenings and creative workshops to community events and shorts by emerging filmmakers, CineYouth brings film into everyday spaces — inspiring under-25s to see their world on screen and imagine their own future in the industry.

PROGRAMME 25

Python, Terry Gilliam, joins us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Beware the Knights Who Say “Ni!”, fear the Killer Rabbit, and prepare for a 2025 film festival programme packed with surprise, bold and entertaining adventures in independent cinema.

SILENT NIGHT

The Phantom of the Opera – silent version (1925)

A century on, the Phantom returns…

Joins us to celebrate Silent Night a spellbinding centenary screening of The Phantom of the Opera (1925) — a landmark of silent cinema brought to life with live musical accompaniment by silent film expert and composer Neil Brand. This promises to be a haunting tribute to the enduring legacy of film.

MEXICAN FOCUS

This year we shall have a focus on Mexican cinema with plans to replicate a fiesta of entertainment. First up is La Cocina by Alonso Ruizpalacios, an emerging filmmaker in the tradition of the “Three Amigos” of Mexican cinema – Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Alfonso Cuarón, who between them have won 12 Oscars. We will also present Radical, the acclaimed drama starring Eugenio Derbez, inspired by a true story of educational innovation and hope in a Mexican border town.

CINEYOUTH

CineYouth is our newly trade-marked, year-round initiative dedicated to inspiring and empowering young people through film. The programme offers film screenings, talks, workshops, and masterclasses that bring the culture of cinema to life. Young people are able to meet industry professionals, explore careers in the screen industries and gain hands-on experience that turns passion into possibility.

ARCHIVE

Over the years, we’ve brought unforgettable moments to Cheltenham through film screenings, live events, celebrity appearances, and more. Take a journey through our past film festivals with our Archive and relive some of the highlights.

SUPPORT US

Now in its seventh year, Cheltenham International Film Festival has screened hundreds of films and hosted some of the UK’s most celebrated guests — enriching the town’s cultural life and putting Cheltenham on the international cinema map. Your support helps us bring world-class cinema, celebrated guests, and lively events to our community, while nurturing the next generation of film lovers and creators.