2026 Festival - 7-23 Aug.

15 days of fantastic film

7th to 23rd August 2026 - COMING SOON

CHICHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

This renowned Film Festival was launched in 1992 as the flagbearer for the art of film at the Festival of Chichester, a summer programme of the arts in the city. Since then, it has developed into a nationally acclaimed Film Festival with a focus on quality cinema from all over the world.

Film Directors, Actors, Writers, Composers and Critics have visited over the years. These include Sir Alec Guinness, Steven Poliakoff, Kathleen Turner, Ken Russell, Mike Leigh, Tony Palmer, Kerry Fox, Ronald Harwood, Daniel Brühl, Elaine Paige, Michael Winterbottom, John Lithgow, David Hare, Nick Moran, Derek Jacobi, Virginia MacKenna, High Bonneville, Rory Kinnear, Carl Davis, Steve Coogan, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Timothy Spall and Ralph Fiennes to name a few.

Join us this coming Summer.

Festival Films & Events

Partnership Opportunities

Our sincere thanks to Film Hub South East and Greenwood Wealth Solutions who have both supported this Film Festival for many years.

Our Festival Partners are a vital element of putting on a creative, challenging and successful event.
As a business, you can partner with the best film festival on the south coast in many ways:
- Headline Partner
- Specific Strand Partner
- Brochure Partner
- Open Air Screenings Partner
- plus other tailored partnerships

As an individual, you can support the Festival by becoming a:
- First Time Festival Supporter
- Festival Supporter
- Film Patron

Festival Director - Walter Francisco

After 31 years, the founder and Artistic Director of the Chichester International Film Festival - Roger Gibson - passed on the baton to Walter Francisco.

Walter had been Roger's right-hand man since he joined the Festival in 2003, so with a 20-year apprenticeship, the decision to give him the position of Head of Programming was very easily made.

Walter has delivered a super exciting programme of films since the 2024 Festival, highlighted by the expansion into new venues in the area.

Look out for some more innovation, always underpinned by a selection of quality new and classic cinema.

Image: Walter & Roger at the 2023 Festival Opening Gala

About the festival

The Chichester International Film Festival was launched in 1992 as the representation of the art of film at the Festival of Chichester, a summer programme of the arts in the city.

Prior to 2024 when Walter Francisco took the helm of the Festival, Roger Gibson (pic) programmed every edition, and saw the Festival grow from 29 films in one location, to 150 films in seven locations. These have included open air screenings in Priory Park, classic silent films with live musical accompaniment in the gothic St. John’s Chapel, 35mm screenings at Slindon Cinema, special screenings at Chichester Cathedral, and drive-in screenings in the city centre.

Film Directors, Actors, Writers, Composers and Critics have visited over the years and given talks during the Festival, raising both the profile of the event and of course, the quality. These include Sir Alec Guinness, Steven Poliakoff, Kathleen Turner, Ken Russell, Mike Leigh, Kerry Fox, Ronald Harwood, Daniel Brühl, Elaine Paige, Michael Winterbottom, John Lithgow, David Hare, Nick Moran, Derek Jacobi, Virginia McKenna, Carl Davis, Steve Coogan and Ralph Fiennes to name a few.

More Details

Film Submissions

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED FOR 2026:
Film Submissions for the 2026 Chichester International Film Festival opened on 10 January and closed on 1 May. Selected filmmakers will be notified on 9 June.
All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway - Good Luck.

Details on Film Freeway

2025 Film Festival

The 2025 edition saw over 100 films throughout 15 days of the best in cinema on the South Coast. It was Walter Francisco's 2nd edition as Artistic Director - following on from Roger Gibson's incredible effort of bringing the best in film to Chichester.