Ten festivals.
A UK-wide future for young filmmakers.
Every young filmmaker deserves somewhere to share their stories, see their work on the big screen and feel that their creativity matters. Our ambition is to build a network of ten Children’s International Film Festivals across the UK, creating lasting opportunities for schools and young people to make films, develop their skills and celebrate together for the foreseeable future.
Beginning in Kingston in 2025 and expanding to Hastings in 2026, we are building towards a future in which each new location becomes an enduring part of the ChIFF community.
OUR JOURNEY
TO TEN FESTIVALS
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Our proposed roadmap introduces a new festival location each year, growing a network that connects young filmmakers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Each festival will have its own local identity, shaped by the schools, young people and partners who make it possible. Together, they will share a commitment to giving the next generation of filmmakers a platform.
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Built with Partners
Who Believe in Young People
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We will work with partners committed to championing young filmmakers and creativity in schools. From cinemas, cultural venues and universities to education organisations, community groups and screen industry professionals, our partners will help connect young people with expertise, encouragement and opportunities.
Our aim is to build lasting local relationships, supporting festivals that communities can help shape and return to year after year.
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A LEGACY
BEYOND THE SCREEN
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The festival day is a celebration of work that begins much earlier and can continue long afterwards.
Our ambition is for each location to support a wider culture of school filmmaking through practical workshops, teacher development, access to equipment and connections with creative professionals.
We want young people to leave with more than a screening credit or an award. We want them to gain confidence in their ideas, experience of working together and the belief that their stories deserve to be heard.
As ChIFF grows, young people will help shape that growth through programming, judging, presenting and representing their communities.
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FROM THE UK
TO EUROPE
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Once our UK network is established, our intention is to create a European footprint, building relationships with organisations that share our belief in young people’s creativity.
We envisage opportunities for shared screenings, filmmaker exchanges, collaborative projects and connections between schools across borders.
By bringing young storytellers together, we can help them discover different perspectives, learn from one another and find audiences beyond their own communities.
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HELP SHAPE
WHAT COMES NEXT
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We welcome conversations with prospective hosts, education partners, cultural organisations
and supporters who want to help build this future.
Get in touch (below) and join us in creating places where young filmmakers belong.