STEP INTO THE FRAME
Cornwall Film Festival 2026
Cornwall Film Festival is a global platform inviting filmmakers from every corner of the world to showcase bold, captivating and innovative stories.
KEY DATES 2026
Festival dates
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26th International Cornwall Film Festival 2nd November – 29th November 2026
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Previews week: 16-22nd November, The Poly Falmouth
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Film Festival North tbc
Programme launch
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CFF 2026 First Release: 9th September
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Programme schedule live: 14th September
Ticket sales
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Early mailing list ticket release: 1st September
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Public sale: 20th September
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Festival specials galas: 1st September
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Industry sale: 14th September
Industry dates
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Pro Days 2026 tbc
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OtherRealms XR: 16-22nd November, Falmouth Art Gallery
Submissions
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Opening Date: December 1, 2025
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Super Early Deadline: January 2, 2026
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Earlybird Deadline: February 20, 2026
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Regular Deadline: March 20, 2026
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Midway Deadline: May 22, 2026
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Late Deadline: July 24, 2026
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Final Deadline: September 6, 2026
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Notification Date: October 12, 2026
Accreditation
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Press accreditations open: tbc
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Student accreditations: tbc
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Filmmaker accreditations: tbc
INDUSTRY FOCUS
THE ART AND CREATIVE DEPARTMENTS
In 2026, Cornwall Film Festival places a spotlight on the Art & Creative Departments, the often-unseen craftspeople whose work shapes the emotional, visual and tactile language of film.
From production design, costume, make-up and hair, to sound design, editing, visual effects, animation, props, illustration and emerging digital practices, this focus celebrates the breadth of creative labour that brings stories to life on screen. These disciplines sit at the intersection of artistry, technical skill and collaboration, yet are too often overlooked in traditional industry conversations. Read More
Through curated screenings, industry talks, workshops and exhibitions, the festival will explore how creative departments influence storytelling, world-building and audience experience, particularly within independent and micro-budget filmmaking, where innovation and resourcefulness are essential.
This focus also reflects Cornwall’s rich creative ecology: a place where craft, making and experimentation are deeply embedded in cultural life. By championing creative departments in their broadest sense, Cornwall Film Festival 2026 aims to inspire emerging practitioners, demystify career pathways, and foreground the value of creative labour within the screen industries.
STORIES FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD -

