Film

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 […]

East Asian Panorama. Monthly events from the Brighton International Animation Festival showcasing a variety of animation programmes, come down and catch up on any festival programmes you may have missed! July is East Asian Panorama (from 2025)! Special panorama programme featuring the stunning works coming out of East Asia and diaspora, featuring countries including China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Expect festivities, family relations and more in this selection of both narrative and documentary films. Tickets are ticketed at different strands starting at pay what you through to £5/£6/£7. All proceeds go towards the running of the annual festival as funding for animation festivals in the UK is very limited. Upstairs at Presuming Eds, doors open 7pm, films start 7.30pm. Come downstairs and have a drink and chat about the films afterwards. Any questions please contact the festival directly on brightonanimation@gmail.com Keep up to date on Instagram @brightonanimation and sign up for monthly e-newsletter here

Tube Film + Q&A: Join the Creative Nonfiction Film Weekend and Brighton Rocks for a screening of Tube Film, a DIY personal documentary co-directed by CNFW's founders Orla Smith and Kimia Ipakchi (they'll be there for a Q&A!). In the film, Kimia films Orla as she goes on the Tube for the first time since having a panic attack there 2 years prior. It's a film about anxiety, willpower, and whether making films can be effective therapy. Maybe it's a bit about friendship too. The documentary is meant to inspire a lot of conversation and debate, so bring your friends and stick around for the discussion afterwards.