Bournemouth, Events & Entertainment | Posted on October 6th, 2025 | return to news

Bournemouth International Film Festival hailed huge success

Hailed a huge success by the organisers, the first ever BIFF was officially opened by acclaimed actor and festival patron, Christopher Eccleston.

Attended by a ‘who’s who’ of emerging international, national and local festival talent, the Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) took place at the Hilton Bournemouth on 3 and 4 October 2025. The event was officially opened by acclaimed actor and former ‘Dr Who’ star Christopher Eccleston.

More than 300 filmmakers, film fans and film students attended from the UK and overseas. They watched 62 films, attended 14 industry workshops, and congratulated over 50 award winners at the concluding black-tie awards night.

Over 50 awards were presented to filmmakers at different stages of their career, from local Arts University Bournemouth film student Em Robinson for her film ‘Hand Bag’, to BAFTA and EMMY award-winning director Ian Curtis for ‘Hide’.

In addition to the best film awards, accolades were also presented for best editing, best sound, best composer and original score, best cinematographer and best short script.

Festival Director Steve McCarten said: “The festival was a resounding success. The feedback was excellent, with some attendees saying that it was the best-run film festival they’d been to this year and the most welcoming. I am absolutely thrilled by the amazing support and attendance at the first ever Bournemouth International Film Festival.”

He mentioned that the awards night was sold out, with standing room only and added: “It was more than a festival: it was the beginning of a long-term cultural investment in our region, helping to put a spotlight on the emerging film scene here in Bournemouth, whilst recognising emerging brilliant local, national and international work.”

He thanked everyone who was a part of the festival from the local community to local sponsors and volunteers helping out at the festival. “We couldn’t have done this without you,” he added.

Over 175 submissions were judged by an award-winning lineup of industry judges, with 55 awards handed out. Some of the big winners were:

Beststudent film: Hand Bag, directed by Em Robinson (one of 3 wins)
Best UK Animation: If I Raised My Mother, directed byBhavna Madan Mohan (one of 4 wins)
Best documentary short: More Like Paul, directed byDamian Sciberras (one of 3 wins)
Best documentary feature:Y Crwydryn, directed by Rhys Edwards (one of 5 wins)
Best international short: Blood Like Water, directed byDima Hamdan (one of 4 wins)
Best international feature: Seems Like Love,directed by Yana Klimova-Yusupova (one of 5 wins)
Best genre short: The Lace, directed byNicole Sarah Fry, Julian Butterworth (one of 4 wins)
Bestgenre director and cinematography: The Pearl Comb, directed by Ali Cook
Best UK short film: Hide, directed by Ian Curtis(one of 6 wins)
Best UK feature film:The Caretaker (one of 3 wins)
Best short script:Walk By
Best local filmmaker: The Lace, directed byNicole Sarah Fry, Julian Butterworth
Best social impact short film documentary:Bluff, directed by Naomi Wright
Best social impact feature film documentary: Quiet on Set, directed byMark Forbes
Audience choiceaward: Paranoyya, directed by Mike Glover
Jury Prize: Hide, directed by Ian Curtis

Judges’ comments included:

“Y Crwydryn is a poignant meditation on mortality, masculinity, friendship, and music, with beautifully directed set pieces and strong cinematography. The bond between the central character and his friend is captured with real tenderness.”

“Hide is a superbly crafted film with an outstanding lead performance from Niamh Blackshaw.”

“If I Raised My Mother is a really beautiful film. The script is both clever and deeply touching, with an emotional resonance that stays with you. I especially admire the styling and the subtlety of the character animation, it brings such authenticity and warmth to the story. The beautiful soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, adding another layer of depth and emotion. A thoughtful, moving piece of work.”

For a full list of all the winners of each of the 55 categories, please visit https://bournemouthfilmfest.co.uk.