Scarborough Film Festival

Scarborough Film Festival, now in its second year, brings alternative and exciting films to the town and runs in partnership with the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

This second edition brings something for everyone, with film previews, live music, collaborations, short films, children's events and workshops.

Festival co-directors Martha Cattell and Liz Boag say: “We’re so pleased to bring Scarborough Film Festival back with even more collaborations and screenings. Our highlights include an exciting film launch with artists Conway and Young, musical collaborations with the Tuesday Funky Choir and local punk bands, our regional film competition and topical documentaries and films from around the world. The festival is not just a celebration of film but also of the amazing talent and community in the area.”

The festival runs from 15 to 23 March and uses multiple venues around town including the SJT, Mandy Apple, Woodend Galleries and Studies, Craft Bar and the Railway Club.

It is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network and is sponsored by JW Smith & Co.

The programme is (all films at the SJT unless otherwise stated):

Film Poster Workshop: Make collage/zine posters inspired by films you’ve seen, a random idea, or your own life! We will think about how we create and represent different stories. Creations will be displayed in Mandy Apple during the Festival.

Saturday 15 March, 1pm-3pm, Mandy Apple

Film Preview: Wind, Tide and Oar: A compelling exploration of engineless sailing, shot on analogue film over three years in the UK, Netherlands and France.

Thursday 20 March at 1.45pm

Approximate running time: 84 minutes

Flow

Film Preview: Flow: An exciting opportunity to see the Golden Globe Winning, BAFTA and Oscar Nominated feature film before its national cinema release! Cat is a solitary animal, but as his home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences.

Thursday 20 March at 4.30pm

Approximate running time: 85 minutes

Magic Lantern Show: Experience the wonders of a magic lantern show, hosted by Dr Nick Hiley, academic and magic lantern collector, who’ll take the audience on an illuminating journey using a selection of slides from his collection covering visual entertainment and the arrival of cinema from 1880 to 1910.

Thursday 20 March at 7.15pm

Approximate running time: 70 minutes

Wild Women BLACK CHALK - Julieta Tetelbaum

Wild Women (English and Spanish with English subtitles): Let’s go on a wild ride: it will be crazy, joyful and unexpected. A selection of short films not to be missed, curated by Oska Bright, the world’s biggest learning disability film festival.

Friday 21 March at 2pm

Approximate running time: 78 minutes

Layla

Layla: Captivating audiences at Sundance this year, Amrou Al-Khadhi’s debut feature is an exhilarating depiction of self-acceptance set in the London queer scene.

Friday 21 March at 5.30pm

Approximate running time: 100 minutes

Dead Mint + Live Gig: Documentary about Scarborough band Grandads Don’t Indicate, once described as sounding like ‘a nail bomb going off in a toyshop’. A love letter to their seaside home and a celebration of true DIY punk spirit, with an introduction from director Bill Bartlett. Followed by a punk gig with Grandads Don’t Indicate, Graham Watson and Orchard at The Railway Club - entry is included with film ticket (in partnership with Record Revivals)

Friday 21 March at 7.30pm

Approximate running time: 95 minutes

Kids’ Shorts: Science and Nature/drop-in Foley Sound Workshop: Leeds Young Film Festival on Tour presents a captivating collection of science and nature-themed short films, designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deep love for the natural world in children and families. Followed by a free foley sound workshop inspired by the films.

Saturday 22 March at 10am

Approximate running time for kids’ shorts: 46 minutes

Young People’s Films on Loop: Locally made films by aspiring filmmakers and students.

Saturday 22 March from 12.30pm to 2.30pm

Open Call Artists’ Films on Loop – Listen, Shift, Feel: Artists’ moving image works by Rachel Rimell, Olive Payne, Zorm Collective and Mary Naylor.

Saturday 22 March from 2.45pm to 5.30pm


Union: Up against one of the most powerful companies on the planet, a group of Amazon workers embark on an unprecedented campaign to unionise their New York warehouse.

Saturday 22 March at 1.30pm

Approximate running time: 102 minutes

Along the Edge/Below the Surface: Specially curated short films exploring life along and below the sea, bringing together local and global stories with a variety of genres and themes. Including BAFTA winning and nominated shorts.

Saturday 22 March at 11.30am

Approximate running time: 80 minutes

Competition Shorts: Inundated with excellent short films from all over the region, we have curated our Top Ten to compete for this year’s prizes. There will be myriad genres and subjects on display, with all the selected films showcasing the exceptional filmmaking talent hailing from in and around our region. As well as the judges’ winner, there will be a prize for the audience’s favourite film.

Saturday 22 March at 4.30pm

Approximate running time: 80 minutes

Dancing Queen + Tuesday Funky Choir: A rare chance to see on the big screen the iconic British romcom set in Scarborough and starring Rik Mayall and Helena Bonham Carter. The screening will be opened with a performance from the Tuesday Funky Choir. (Sponsored by Craft Bar)

Saturday 22 March at 7.45pm

Approximate running time: 51 minutes

The Taste of Mango: Chloe Abrahams’ debut feature documentary is an enveloping, hypnotic, urgently personal meditation on family, memory, identity, violence and love.

Sunday 23 March at 10.30am, Woodend

Approximate running time: 75 minutes

Film Launch: Milk Report 2025: A new short film by artists and designers Conway and Young explores the politics and economics of care through the lens of feeding a baby, and the 720 hours Young spent doing so. The film focuses on the improvised, chaotic, gendered, interdependent and messy nature of reproductive labour. Presented in collaboration with Crescent Arts, the screening will be followed by an in conversation and tour of the Feed exhibition.

Sunday 23 March at 1.30pm, Woodend Gallery and Studios

Approximate running time: 90 minutes

OpenDecks: Flip the Record, led by DJ BabyBel: Festival closing party – a chance to have a go at spinning some records, digital or vinyl. Open to women and queer-identifying individuals. All welcome to listen and dance. (In partnership with Record Revivals)

Sunday 23 March from 5pm, Craft Bar

Tickets: £8/£7 concessions (60+ or companions); £6 under-30s/SJT Circle members/NHS staff.

Book 3+ events and get 20% off! Just use offer code SFF25

To book: https://sjt.uk.com/