Bolton International Film Festival returns to the Light Cinema for its tenth edition next month. The BAFTA and BIFA accredited short film festival will be screening over 300 films from home and abroad.
A film festival is for the public, not just for industry, there is something on the table for everyone, in what is loosely describe as a “Buffet of Film”.
Short films on the programme include titles such as…
A Little Death by Leto Meade, Jonathan Rockefeller: Death’s patience is tested when his sweet and gentle apprentice appears incapable of the task, leading him to seek professional help from the most unlikely of places
走 (zǒu) by Hannah Wu: A journey through the pages of Hannah’s mother’s old Chinese-English dictionary, featuring tigers, socialists and roundabouts. Combining ink drawings on paper with direct animation on 35mm film, various definitions of 走 (zǒu) – the Chinese character for ‘walk’ – take on meanings in turn literal, historical, personal and abstract.
Carmageddon by Tarun Thind: An inept nationalist’s mission takes a wickedly unexpected detour when he finds himself face-to-face with a Churel, a mischievous South Asian spirit determined to alter the course of his mission.
El Cuerpo del Cristo by Bea Lema: With an unacknowledged mental disorder, Adela seeks answers in popular rituals. She feels that something is watching and harming her, and only religion seems to understand her. During a visit to a healer, she confesses the disturbing origin of her suffering.
Il Cervo Verde by Jude Ellis Rogers: A deer and an opera singer are plunged into an absurd life swapping story in a nonsensical operatic performance. Can they adapt to each other’s worlds, or will they end up with stage fright?
City of Owls by Zhenia Kazankina: On the last evening before her departure, Vera is putting her small sister to bed. To hide the real reason of her leaving, she tells her a bedtime fairy tale instead. It’s the story of a city swallowed by an eternal night.
The Happy Pig Brand by Léo Bournas Milazzo: Four young piglets go on a workplace visit with their school, getting a sneak peak into their possible future at ‘The Happy Pig Brand’.
Kalunga by Maria Trindade: The little girl Ilu lives happily with her family in a peaceful African village. One night the village gets raided by human traffickers and the girl and all villagers are brought to a slave ship heading to Brazil. But Ilu has her magical puppet Kalunga with her.
Orla by Marie Lukacova: In a kingdom bound by a strict hierarchy and surrounded by a magical wilderness, there lives a young maiden named Jasna. Gifted with sharp wit and a heart full of justice, she stands against the wicked and tyrannical ruler, Volk, who exploits his people…
Strange Teen Spirit by Frank Ternier: Anton observes. Alone. A phosphorescent glow flickers through the streets. Anton sees a bee dying, then another. No one sees a thing, not even Kata, over there on the roof. Kata and his gang are running, laughing, spray-painting. Anton watches them, especially her. He dreams of joining them.
Trading Cards by Radheya Jang: An enigmatic man journeys back in time to find his younger self, seemingly to revisit the nostalgia of trading cards. An exploration of identity, mental health and the erosion of childhood innocence, Trading Cards is a dark fantasy animated film about the weight of living with Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What is dyslexia? by Kyra Bartley: Lola turns to the internet for answers after learning she has dyslexia. Confronted by definitions that leave her feeling hopeless, she meets an unlikely friend who takes her on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.
Whether it’s Drama, Documentary, Animation, Comedy, Horror, Sci-fi & Fantasy, or the more niche genres such as Dance, Music, Fashion and Experimental, the organisers are confident you’ll find something to satisfy your appetite.
This year’s festival also boasts an exceptional line up of speakers, including: BFI Doc Society, Film Hub North, BBC Writers Room, the Slick Film Fund, Doc North and many more.
All the films and industry talks, taking place at The Light Cinema – a new, state-of-the-art nine screen Cineplex within the Market Place Shopping Centre – require a ticket or festival pass available on the ticket page.
• Bolton International Film Festival Physical : Wednesday 30th September – Sun 4th October 2026 | Online : Wednesday 7th – Sunday 18th October 2026 | Tickets on sale now here at boltonfilmfestival.com
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Animation, Digital Media, downthetubes News, Events, Film, Other Worlds
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