As it celebrates its 5th birthday, Northampton Film Festival is back with this year’s theme: Still Making a Scene.
True to its ethos of championing rebels, revolutionaries, misfits, mavericks, creatives, and changemakers, the festival is once again rolling out the red carpet and showcasing a bold and eclectic selection of films. This approach continues to attract filmmakers and audiences from across Northamptonshire and beyond, all eager to see what the county has to offer.
Running from Saturday 28th February to Sunday 8th March 2026, the festival will host a series of thematic screenings and events at some of Northampton’s most iconic venues, including Delapré Abbey, the Royal Theatre, the University of Northampton, NSG’s Spinney Theatre, and Northampton Filmhouse.
Founder and Festival Director Becky Carrier says:
“For this year’s festival, we’ll be really making a scene as we celebrate five incredible years, and the many individuals and organisations that have helped us along the way – from sponsors and partners to the creative community and the county’s young people. Shining a spotlight on the culture and creativity of Northants is our driving force, and we want everyone to come out and join us. We promise it will be a lot of fun.”
Festival highlights include:
- 28 Feb, Delapré Abbey: ‘Still Making a Scene’ Red Carpet Opening Gala
- 1, 2 & 4 Mar, Northampton Filmhouse: Themed film screenings celebrating Rebels and Revolutionaries, Misfits and Mavericks, and Creatives and Changemakers
- 3 Mar, University of Northampton: Free networking event for creatives, filmmakers, and game designers
- 3–5 Mar, NSG Spinney Theatre: Free National Careers Week events for schools and colleges
- 8 Mar, Royal Theatre: Free Young Filmmakers Awards and Red Carpet Evening Awards Ceremony
Films to watch out for include:
- Project Rockclimber – A feature-length documentary following Northants’ Disabled Adventurer Nick Wilson, the first person with a disability to reach the peak of Mt Snowdon on a prototype power mobility chair called The Rockclimber.
Watch the trailer here - The Corinthians: We Were The Champions – The inspiring true story of Didsbury’s women’s football team, who defied the FA’s 50-year ban on women’s football and went on a global winning spree, unofficially representing England internationally from 1957 onwards.
Watch the trailer here - The Stork – A laugh-out-loud short starring Tom Rosenthal, Paul Chahidi, and Siobhan Finneran, about a mishap involving a very important package: Norwegian semen! Not for the bashful, this film explores parental love amidst chaotic circumstances.
Watch the trailer here - Swim Sistas – Northampton filmmaker Cat White celebrates Black women across generations and their connection to swimming, featuring Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing and narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Naomie Harris.
Watch the trailer here
For the full programme of films and events, visit: northamptonfilmfestival.eventive.org/welcome
The 2026 festival is made possible with support from Northampton Town Council and Film Hub Midlands, funded by the National Lottery. The Northamptonshire Community Foundation has also supported the festival’s Young Programmers scheme.