2026 Children’s International Film Festival Set for Hastings on June 18

Following the success of the inaugural event in Kingston-Upon-Thames in June 2025, the Children’s International Film Festival (CIFF) 2026 will take place in Hastings on Thursday the 18th of June. CIFF celebrates young filmmakers, those aged 16 and under, and will give children across Hastings and Rother a chance to get hands-on with the film industry.

CIFF will bring interactive filmmaking workshops with industry professionals from organisations including The BFI, BAFTA, National Film and Television School (NFTS), The Bright Foundation and The British Museum. The day itself will feature screenings of films made by young people from across the south coast, the UK and internationally. The day will culminate in a celebratory awards gala at the White Rock Theatre.

The CIFF team are working closely with Hastings Council, Community Partner The Bright Foundation, primary and secondary schools as well as MP Helena Dollimore and venues in the town including The White Rock Theatre, Hastings Museum, Benbow Arts Space and Hastings Contemporary to bring the Festival to life this summer.

“I’m delighted that the Children's International Film Festival (CIFF) in partnership with The Bright Foundation, will be bringing their amazing festival to Hastings in June 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for children across Hastings, Rye and the villages to work with big names in the film industry and see their creations on screen. I strongly believe the arts should be accessible to all our young people, regardless of  background, and it is great to see events like this opening those doors,”said Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye and the villages.

“Every child deserves the chance to discover their creativity, their confidence, and their voice. In a community where many families face real barriers to opportunity, our programme is designed to open doors, spark imagination and help young people believe in their own potential. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far — and this year marks an exciting new chapter,” said Polly Risbridger, CEO of The Bright Foundation.

“Hastings has a long and proud tradition of supporting the arts, and this June’s Children’s International Film Festival is a fantastic showcase of the creativity and potential within our young people. Schools and youth groups are already busy preparing their film submissions, and I’m really looking forward to seeing their ideas come to life on the big screens across the town on Festival Day, 18 June,” said Cllr Glenn Haffenden, Leader of Hastings Borough Council.

“Kingston in 2025 was fantastic, everything I hoped The Children’s International Film Festival would be. Yet looking ahead to this year’s Festival, and with the unbelievable support we have received from the Hastings community and beyond, this year is looking like it will provide even more opportunities for young people to showcase their creativity and get guidance from filmmakers and screen arts industry experts. It is so exciting and we can’t wait to bring together the schools, filmmakers, creatives and community leaders, already confirmed, at the Festival on June 18th in Hastings,” said George Young, Founder The Children’s International Film Festival.

Workshop and event details are now being finalised with Friends of the Festival. The programme for the day and opportunities during the festival for the schools signed up to attend, are all now taking shape. Submissions for films will open in the spring.