ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND with Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry in conversation on opening night (Weds 24th Sept) at Bristol Beacon. This is an opportunity to celebrate a creative partnership that has profoundly influenced contemporary cinema, showcased through their most celebrated collaboration, before we present the UK premieres of new works from each of them the following day. Buy a Festival Pass or Industry Pass to secure your ticket (subject to availability) or pick up a standalone ticket from the Bristol Beacon box office from 10am on Friday 5th September.

Wednesday 24th September - Go West

We're delighted to present Thea Gajic's SURVIVING EARTH to Bristol audiences for the first time, as part of our Go West programming strand spotlighting stories from Bristol and the South West.

Based on a true story, the film follows Vlad, a talented harmonica player who arrived in Bristol in the 1990s after fleeing the conflict in Yugoslavia. Now working as a counsellor in the city, Vlad has woven his roots and love for Balkan music into Bristol's cultural fabric by forming a band with his friends from work. Set against Bristol's vibrant music scene, the band strives for success, but as they do, Vlad is revisited by the traumas of his past life. His carefully rebuilt world in his adopted Bristol home starts to fracture, with the hardest hit being his only daughter Maria, the most important person in his life.

Screening at 6pm on Weds 24th Sept.

Thursday 25th September will see the UK premiere of Michel Gondry's acclaimed MAYA, GIVE ME A TITLE fresh from winning the Crystal Bear for best family film at this year's Berlinale. 

Maya and her dad, Michel Gondry, live in two different countries. Every evening, he asks her: “Maya, give me a title.” Her answer serves as the basis for many short stop-motion animations in which Maya is the hero. The results are sweet, poetic and wildly imaginative. 

6.30pm on Thursday 25th and 2pm on Saturday 27th September.

Adult animated fun will be had with the riotous LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS in which the titular space princess Saira finds herself thrust out of her sheltered life and into an inter-gay-lactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens. 

Winner of the Teddy Award for best LGBT Feature Film at this year's Berlinale, the adventure begins at 9pm on Thurs 25th.

In need of a creative breakthrough? We've got you! Our Friday programme is packed with impactful, inspiring and support-led events designed for people to take the next steps in their creative lives.

Our 8pm screening is a special presentation of Cillian Murphy's new film STEVE + Q&A with writer Max Porter and producer Alan Moloney, hosted by Nikesh Shukla. 

Set in the mid-90s, STEVE is a reimagining of Max Porter's Sunday Times bestseller Shy.

The film follows a pivotal day in the life of headteacher Steve (Cillian Murphy) and his students at a last-chance reform school amidst a world that has forsaken them. As Steve fights to protect the school’s integrity and impending closure, we witness him grappling with his own mental health.

In parallel to Steve’s struggles, we meet Shy (Jay Lycurgo), a troubled teen caught between his past and what lies ahead as he tries to reconcile his inner fragility with his impulse for self-destruction and violence. 

STEVE was filmed locally in the South West and scored by Bristol's own Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury, who will be presenting a masterclass earlier in the afternoon. The film begins at 8pm.

Meanwhile, a one-of-a-kind live event fusing music, film and dance, Last and First Men by Neon Dance comes to Bristol Beacon with live score, the only chance to experience this extraordinary performance with live music in the UK. 

Based on Jóhann Jóhannsson’s haunting final film, the work merges 16mm visuals, Tilda Swinton’s narration, and Jóhannsson’s stirring score with bold, physical choreography. Set two billion years in the future, the story imagines a final message from the last remnants of humanity, beings shaped by profound evolution, difference, and hope.

This powerful, hybrid performance places world-class contemporary dance at the heart of a deeply cinematic, immersive experience. Buy a Festival Pass or Industry Pass to secure your ticket (subject to availability) or pick up a standalone ticket from the Bristol Beacon box office. 8pm, Friday 26th September.

Finally, late night scares will come from Cornish folk horror THE SEVERED SUN - the feature debut from writer/director and Encounters short film competition alumni Dean Puckett. 

Magpie lives in an isolated church community ruled over by her father, The Pastor. When a man is murdered, paranoia sets in and people start to whisper about a strange 'Beast' that lives in the forest. 9pm on Friday 26th September

Grab the kids and head to Watershed for 10.30am where we’ll be showcasing six magical adventures perfect for young explorers aged 5 and up in our family shorts programme - DAYDREAMS. A lonely polar bear creates his own friend, a brave sea turtle journeys to the ocean with a sandy companion, and beloved cat Mog celebrates Christmas in a special animated treat. Meanwhile, a big brother explains the solar system to his little sister, children discover the magic in everyday mysteries, and a young witch learns to believe in her dancing potion. Heartwarming tales of friendship, curiosity, and finding your place in the world.

As the credits roll we’ll ask the kids in the audience to tell us their favourite film which will be awarded our Children’s Jury prize.

Finally we'll round out our features programme on Saturday night with psychological thriller BLOCKHEAD starring Bristol legend Joe Sims (Broadchurch, Reunion, BBC Radio Bristol). The narrative debut from Matt Harlock (whose documentary “American: The Bill Hicks Story” earned critical acclaim), this South West production is sure to bring down the house. 

A failing and desperate novelist finds his muse in a drunk, psychotic decorator who sends his life into chaos and murder - but, just possibly, genius. BLOCKHEAD screens at 8pm.