It is with immense pride and gratitude that I welcome you to the 33rd Chichester International Film Festival – a celebration of cinema that continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in the passion and curiosity that have defined it for over three decades. Fuelled by the tireless efforts of our team, along with you, the loyal supporters, this year’s Festival feels bolder and more expansive than ever.
At the heart of our mission remains a desire to bring exceptional storytelling to audiences across Chichester and beyond. We’re delighted to return to some of our favourite partner venues, while also introducing new ones to the fold. You will no doubt notice when flicking through this programme, that nearly half of the films will be screened at The Lumiere.
This is the most exciting innovation for 2025. A mobile cinema auditorium that seats 80 and will be situated at the north end of the New Park Centre car park. It is kitted out to the most up-to-date projection specifications, meaning anyone seeing a film here will be very impressed. Look out for the two open sessions to visit the Lumiere on 13 and 14 August. We thank the team at the Windmill Cinema, Littlehampton for their help in making this happen.
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2025’s programme brims with premieres, visiting filmmakers, a world-spanning array of cinematic voices, classic top-drawer films, plus some unmissable special events. Our annual Jazz Film and Gig this year promises to be the best one ever, this year focusing on Quincy Jones, featuring some of the country’s best jazz musicians, and curated by double-bassist Andrew Cleyndert along with our own Roger Gibson – founder of the Chichester Film Festival and jazz lover without compare.
Alongside our contemporary selections, we shine a spotlight on six distinctive strands, each reflecting our enthusiasm for film that challenges and delights. Our Kate Winslet strand, ‘No Role Too Deep’, offers a rare chance to explore the extraordinary range of this much-loved actor. From the haunting intimacy of ‘Ammonite’ to the emotional complexity of ‘The Reader’, we celebrate her fearless choices and transformative performances. And yes – she’s a local hero too, which makes it all the more special.
In Jack Lemmon: Sweet & Sour, we pay tribute to a master of comic timing and bittersweet charm. Whether stealing scenes in ‘Some Like It Hot’ or capturing vulnerability in ‘The Apartment’, Lemmon’s legacy lies in his ability to reflect the absurdities and tenderness of the human experience with disarming ease.
We are also thrilled to present India Beyond Bollywood, a powerful showcase of subcontinental storytelling that ventures far from the musical blockbusters many might expect. With quality selections like ‘Cactus Pears’, ‘Santosh’, and Satyajit Ray’s timeless ‘Pather Panchali’, this strand offers a lyrical, sometimes sobering, but always compelling look at Indian society through its rural heartlands and urban margins. Local Indian restaurant Jungle Junction partners us on this strand and is offering a very generous 20% discount to all Festival attendees.
Our David Lynch retrospective plunges into the surreal and enigmatic world of one of cinema’s true visionaries. Whether you’re a seasoned Lynchian or a curious newcomer, you will love ‘Mulholland Drive’ (many critics’ favourite film of all time), ‘Eraserhead’ (Lynch’s launchpad into film immortality), and more - expect to be transported into dream logic and psychological labyrinths.
Jane Austen, meanwhile, revisits and reimagines the stories of one of Britain’s greatest writers. From faithful adaptations like ‘Sense and Sensibility’ to modern Austen-infused comedies, we explore her timeless wit and enduring fascination with love and class.
And finally, Country Folk celebrates the genre of Country Music Cinema – a surprisingly diverse selection of films exploring the grit and poetry of country life. This strand resonates with stories as raw as they are melodic and provides the very first film of the Festival with ‘Walk the Line’ as an Open Air Screening at Priory Park, Chichester. Look out for the other four films under the stars over the weekend of 8-10 August.
As ever, none of this would be possible without our devoted team, generous patrons, sponsors, partner venues, and you – our audience. Thank you for being part of this continuing journey.
Let’s celebrate great film together.
See you at the Cinema
Walter Francisco, Festival Director
July 2025