STAMFORD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
FILMMAKER NEWSLETTER | 7 OCTOBER 2026
WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU TO STAMFORD!
Thank you for sending over your DCP and, most importantly, for trusting Stamford International Film Festival with your film.
We’re incredibly excited to welcome filmmakers from across the UK and beyond to Stamford Arts Centre on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 for what promises to be a fantastic day of cinema, conversation, industry insight and celebration.
This is still the beginning of our festival journey, and we’re determined to make Stamford a place
where filmmakers don’t simply screen their films : they meet, connect, learn and celebrate together.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
📍 YOUR FESTIVAL DAY
Stamford Arts Centre
Wednesday 7 October 2026
DOORS OPEN - 9.00AM
The Arts Centre is right in the heart of Stamford, with the railway station approximately a 10- minute walk away.
If you're driving, there is ample parking throughout the town, and Stamford's bustling independent high street is right on the doorstep, perfect for grabbing lunch, coffee or exploring between sessions.
The café, gallery and bar area will all be open, giving filmmakers plenty of opportunities to relax, meet one another and soak up the atmosphere.
🎟 YOUR FILMMAKER TICKET
Every film receives one complimentary ticket for a representative.
Please email us the name of the person attending in advance so we can arrange their complimentary ticket.
We would ideally love to see at least one representative from every film at the festival. Having filmmakers in the room is a huge part of what makes a festival special.
If your representative would like to purchase a Day Pass or All Access Pass, please get in touch.
The All Access Pass includes the Awards Show, and we can provide an exclusive discount code for them.
Need to decide on the day, don’t worry tickets will also be available to purchase at the ticket desk on the day.
🎫 A PROPER FESTIVAL TICKET
Prefer something physical?
The venue has a proper ticket printer! I love getting these when I watch film at the Arts Centre, very nostalgic. They have a more traditional printer, better than simply having a QR code printed on a piece of paper. A little keepsake from your festival day.
SCHEDULE
SCREENING 1 - 9.30AM
Quiet - Comedy
We’re All Black Down Here - Drama
One Shot of Espresso - Psychological Thriller
Rubinstein's - Drama / Suspense
The Wolf - Drama
💡 INDUSTRY INSIGHT - 10.00AM
INCLUSION ON SET - Inclusivity Films
Creating an inclusive film set isn't just about policy - it's about building stronger collaborations,
better storytelling and healthier creative environments.
SCREENING 2 - 11.00AM
The Belladonna - Thriller
Static - Drama / Student
You and Me Makes Three - Comedy
The Sorrows of Kin - Student
Between the Piers - Drama
💡 INDUSTRY INSIGHT - 11.30AM
FILMING: THE ART OF PITCHING - Dustin Murphy (Kino Film Fund)
How do you make your film stand out in a crowded submissions pile?
This practical and honest conversation will explore how to pitch your film, communicate your
vision with clarity and confidence, and understand what industry professionals are looking for
beyond a great idea.
SCREENING 3 - 12.30PM
Game Over - Drama
The Intimacy Coordinator - Thriller
Castlines - Drama
Reverb - Student
Blown It - Comedy
💡 INDUSTRY INSIGHT - 1.00PM
THE DRAFT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING - Kerrie Davenport
Sometimes the most important draft is the one shaped by a fresh perspective.
This session explores the value of bringing a creative consultant into the development process —
someone who can challenge assumptions, uncover missed opportunities and help writers, directors
and producers see their story through a new lens.
🎥 BFI SCREENING + Q&A - 2.15PM
We’re delighted to present a special BFI Films + Q&A.
BFI short films will be screened, followed by a Q&A with fund winners discussing their
experiences working with the BFI.
Films:
Swole - Drama
Burn Out - Comedy
In the Shadow of Darkness - Drama
My Dreams Have Dark of Late - Horror
Different Place - Drama
🎙 FILMMAKER INTERVIEWS
We’re also planning to welcome Rutland & Stamford Sound to the festival to conduct interviews with filmmakers throughout the day. This is currently TBC with the venue, but we’re extremelyexcited about the possibility.
We'll share more information once everything is confirmed.
⭐ SOME VERY EXCITING GUESTS...
We’re also delighted that representatives from both BIFA and BAFTA are hoping to attend. We can't say too much just yet - their involvement forms part of our longer-term plans for the festival - but we’re incredibly excited about the prospect of welcoming representatives from two of the UK's most important film organisations to Stamford at such an early stage of our journey.
🏆 THE AWARDS CEREMONY
Our evening Awards Ceremony, hosted by Amelia Clarkson.
We'll be celebrating filmmakers and performances across 11 award categories:
🏆 Best Short Film
😂 Best Comedy
🎞 Best Drama
🩸 Best Thriller/Horror
🏳🌈 Best LGBTQIA+
🎬 Best Director
📷 Best Cinematographer
🎭 Best Actor
🎭 Best Actress
👩 🎬 Women in Film
🎓 Best Student
🏆 THE BEST SHORT FILM PRIZE
The winner of Best Short Film will receive:
🏆 A festival trophy
🎓 A Master Class with Film Friendly
💜 A one-year membership to Female Film Club for one member
🎬 A one-year membership to My Smash Media Pro for one member
All other category winners will receive:
🏆 A festival trophy
🎓 A Master Class with Film Friendly
📸 GET CAMERA READY!
There will be a videographer filming throughout the Awards Show, so this is your chance to dress up and make an evening of it.
We want our Awards Show to feel like a proper celebration of the people behind the films ; so dress
well, bring your cast and crew, and get ready for the cameras!
We'd love to see the festival through your eyes.
If you're taking photographs, making videos or sharing your experience, please post them and tag:
@stamfordinter.filmfestival
And here's a little extra...
📸 If we use your photograph on our main festival page, you'll receive a FREE All Day Pass to next year's festival.
So get snapping!
❤ THIS IS YOUR FESTIVAL TOO
We want Stamford International Film Festival to become more than somewhere you submit a film.
We want it to become a place where filmmakers meet filmmakers. A place where emerging talent can sit alongside established voices. Where conversations continue after the screening. Where a chance meeting can become a future collaboration. And, ultimately, somewhere you can come together to celebrate the thing that brought everyone into the room in the first place: FILM.
We’re incredibly grateful to every filmmaker who has chosen to be part of our first chapter, and we can't wait to welcome you to
OCTOBER 7th
STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE
STAMFORD, UK
Follow the festival
@stamfordinter.filmfestival
See you in soon!
Best,
Rhiannon & Will
Festival Directors
SIFF 2026