Sama International Film Festival Brighton | New event during Refugee Week 2026 celebrates freedom of expression and displaced and underrepresented filmmakers

15th June at Lewes Depot 17:30 – 20:00 – “Sima’s Song”

16th June at Pink Moon 19:00 – 22:00 “Short Film Night”

17th June at The Rose Hill 19:00 – 22:00 “Champions of the Golden Valley”

18th June at Duke’s at Komedia 19:00 – 22:00 “My Childhood, My Country”

19th June at Fabrica 18:00 – 22:00 “Bauryna Salu”

The Sama Brighton Film Festival is coming to venues across Brighton and Lewes from June 15-19. This is a first UK outing for the Sama International Film Festival which has taken place in Stockholm for the last 17 years, celebrating freedom of expression and providing a platform for underrepresented filmmakers and those living in exile. Sama Brighton will provide a rare opportunity to see feature, documentary and short films from Afghanistan, Iran and Kazakhstan.

The festival is named after the Sufi spiritual practice of sama – deep listening and attentive presence as a path towards understanding. In the words of festival co-producer Sanjar Qiam:

“We want Sama to be a space for Brightonians to encounter films and conversations that engage with political oppression through the lens of displacement, identity and empathy.”

“We are bringing unnoticed and quirky stories to people’s attention. Hopefully it will make it possible for all of us to discover perspectives and details we did not know we were looking for.”

The programme ranges from the remarkably committed filmmaking displayed in BAFTA award-winning documentary My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in Afghanistan, showing at Dukes at Komedia, to a selection of shorts at Pink Moon, with other screenings at the Lewes Depot, the Rose Hill and Fabrica. Running during Refugee Week, 15th – 19th June, the festival will include director Q&As, music and discussion, and highlight the work of local community organisations.

For ticketing and other information visit brighton.samaiff.com and follow @samabrighton