Bristol Film Festival

Introducing screen2 at Clifton Summer Screenings

This year, we’re bringing a brand new space to Clifton Summer Screenings - a a second cinema which will host a range of talks, short films, and specialised events.

Highlights include:

* A talk and film screening in partnership with , discovering more about Bristol’s most famous son, Cary Grant 🌟

* A Saturday morning screening of PRIDE, the BAFTA-nominated 2014 hit telling the remarkable true story of the Le****ns & G**s Support The Miners 🌈

* A 25th anniversary screening of Riverdance, filmed by Bristol-based Stagescreen 🇨🇮

* Archive footage screening of Bristol with BRISTOL AND FLIGHT ON FILM and BLITZ ON BRISTOL 🎬

Find out more about individual screenings via our website.

🍿 Grab that popcorn, because it’s just four weeks to go until Clifton Summer Screenings! 
 
Whether you’re a fan of Pride or Pride and Prejudice, want to go Dirty Dancing with Jonny and Baby or would prefer a walk around the quiet town of Sandford, there’s something for all sorts of film lovers to enjoy.
 
With a covered roof, state-of-the-art screen and wireless headphones, our weatherproof take on an outdoor cinema experience is not to be missed…

Get ready for a ROAR-some morning at Clifton Summer Screenings! For the dino-mad and the Cretaceous-curious, we present a morning dedicated to all things dinosaur! Join us for two special screenings - THE LAND BEFORE TIME, and JURASSIC PARK.

If you’re feeling brave, why not come and meet our resident dinosaur too! We’re working with to bring a ‘real-life’ dinosaur to the venue - book a free slot and discover their fossil displays, and even say hello to Rexy … if you dare!

A glimpse of the man behind the legend…

If you’re a film fan and live in Bristol, you *might* be aware that it was once home to Archibald Leach - a.k.a Cary Grant, actor and Hollywood icon.

2024 marks 120 years since his birth, and we’re delighted to be celebrating it at Clifton Summer Screenings with a very special collaboration with of , Bristol’s festival dedicated to celebrating the life, work and legacy, of one of the city’s most famous sins…

Explore his enduring love for his hometown, the films that made him a legend, and the various ways in which the city celebrates his life and work. It’s a tale of transformation - from a childhood spent by the docks to Hollywood stardom, Cary Grant’s journey is as inspiring as his films.

If you’re itching to discover - or re-discover - some of the films that contributed to Grant’s stardom, we’re following the talk with an 80th anniversary screening of ARSENIC & OLD LACE - a riotous tale of murderous little old ladies and skeletons in the closet…

Find out more: bristolfilmfestival.com/events

We have lift off! 🚀

We’re over the moon (pun intended) that our friends are reopening this July!

From August onwards, we have a stellar series of space and sci-fi screenings lined up in their Planetarium.

From Arrival to Avengers Assemble, WALL•E to Oppenheimer, explore some of this genres most iconic films on the spectacular Planetarium screen. ⭐️

Check our website for full listings, dates and times - and we’ll see you on the launch pad!

Have you been to our Vintage Screenings? 🍷🎬

Our most popular series pairs classic wines with a themed wine tasting. Usually hosted in the historic setting of Averys Wine Cellars, this Summer we’re taking the Vintage Screenings on tour...

From 4th-7th July, catch them at Clifton Summer Screenings, where we will be teaming up with Lyme Bay Winery & Wine Cellars to bring you four very special screenings:

🇬🇧 - 4th July - LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS with a tasting of Lyme Bay Winery's award winning English Wines
🇺🇸 🇫🇷 - 5th July - BOTTLE SHOCK starring Alan Rickman, with a tasting of French and American wines
🇮🇹 6th July - ROMAN HOLIDAY with Italian Wines
🇺🇸 7th July - SIDEWAYS, discovering some of the key wines during the film

Find out more and book tickets online! https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/film-wine-css

We've got some amazing archival screenings lined up for Clifton Summer Screenings this year!

First up on Thursday 4th July, we're bringing you BRISTOL & FLIGHT ON FILM, a special screening showcasing Bristol’s incredible aviation history through archive footage.

On 7th July, get ready for BLITZ ON BRISTOL, a gripping 1980 documentary generously licensed by Bristol Archives. Packed with archive footage and eyewitness interviews, this film offers a moving account of Bristol's history during challenging times.

Both events offer an on-camera glimpse of Bristol in the last century, and are a great opportunity to see rare footage on the big screen!

Find out more about these, and our other short film events, at: bristolfilmfestival.com/short-films-css

We’re partnering with Everyman Cinema Bristol again this month for a 25th anniversary screening of MAGNOLIA as part of our “Epics @ Everyman” series, which screens classic films from across the decades, particularly those with longer run times, that you can enjoy from the comfort of Everyman’s sofas.

MAGNOLIA truly embodies “epic” in its rich mosaic of weird and wonderful characters played to perfection by an ensemble cast from Tom Cruise and Philip Seymour Hoffmann to Juliane Moore and William H. Macy. Director Paul Thomas Anderson (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, THE MASTER) was partly inspired by Aimee Mann’s music, and she contributes to the Oscar-nominated soundtrack of this haunting anthology that will linger long in the memory.

For timings and tickets, go to: https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/event/magnolia

🎥 Lights, camera, action! 🍿

Have you seen our Clifton Summer Screenings programme yet?

With a jam-packed four days of talks, cinema and activities, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. Family favourites

Screenings include: family favourites such as Mary Poppins, Up and Jurassic Park; Rom-Coms like Dirty Dancing and Four Weddings and a Funeral; modern British comedies like Hot Fuzz, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, and late-night horror including The Wicker Man and The Blair Witch Project.

You can see the full programme, as well as more information about the event on our website: www.bristolfilmfestival.com/cliftonsummerscreenings

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our 2024 Clifton Summer Screenings!

After a successful inaugural launch last summer, we are returning to the beautiful Mall Gardens in Clifton Village from Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th July, redefining outdoor cinema and screening classic films in style, with state-of-the-art LED screens, wireless headphones, and covered seating .

This year, we are introducing a second, smaller space, screen2, where we will be hosting a range of talks, short films, cult movies and our Vintage Screenings (which combine a film and wine tasting) “on tour”…

With over 40 events taking place across the four days, and some very special partnerships (more details to follow...)

You can see the full programme on our website - we hope to see you there!

Find out more: https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/cliftonsummerscreenings

It’s good to be back at St Mary Redcliffe this evening for our Buster Keaton double bill, featuring two centenary screenings - THE NAVIGATOR and SHERLOCK JR - and a live improvised organ score from Dr. David Bednall!

Coming on Thursday: our first collaboration with TEDxBristol!
​
​Alongside a screening of the startlingly prescient sci-fi EX MACHINA, 2023 TEDxBRISTOL speaker Anna Davey-Mitchell will host a fascinating introductory talk.
​
​Anna will be talking about the history of simulated humans and discussing how these objects are now moving from popular imaginaries (such as literature, plays, music, and film), into established human social and political roles via humanoid, AI robotics, and how films like EX MACHINA can help us consider what the impact of having “citizens that you can buy” will have on humanity.
​
​Almost a decade after its release, Alex Garland’s Oscar-winning sci-fi thriller feels more relevant than ever. It’s haunting, stylish and cerebral, and one of the finest pieces of science fiction of the 21st Century so far…
​
​🎟️ Tickets via https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/event/ex-machina

Looking for a film that will pack a punch? 🥊

This April, our screenings at Clifton Observatory celebrate two of the best boxing films ever made, the Oscar-winning RAGING BULL and ROCKY.

Martin Scorsese’s fourth collaboration with Robert DeNiro, RAGING BULL is often cited as a career high for both men, and it’s routinely named as one of the greatest films of all time.

Sylvester Stallone’s career-launching bildungsroman ROCKY, which won three Oscars including Best Picture is a true pop culture cornerstone with a franchise to boot, but you can’t beat the original champion!

Join us for a relaxed Sunday screening in the Observatory's beautiful William Weston room.

Find Out More: https://tinyurl.com/4dnkzhrx

It's less than a week until our TOP GUN screening at Aerospace Bristol.

This is one of our favourite events each year - who can argue with the ultimate Eighties action movie, beneath the wings of one of the most famous planes of all time? It's going to be EPIC. ✈️✈️

Tickets are still available, and include access onboard Concorde before the screening. We'll also be showing archive footage of the plane itself, including her maiden flight.

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/mrdch95a

Our Venue Spotlight this week is St Mary Redcliffe, the 'fairest and goodliest' parish Church in England (according to Elizabeth I)!

From the outside, St Mary Redcliffe is an iconic Bristol landmark - inside, its stunning stained glass, beautiful chapels, and references to various figures from Bristol’s rich history make it an intrinsic part of our city's cultural landscape. As well as their diverse programme of activities within the parish, there is also a rich schedule of events this year.

We've enjoyed screening various silent films here, including last year's sell out screening of The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari with Minima Music

This April we're especially excited as we're hosting a very special double bill of Buster Keaton's The Navigator and Sherlock Jr here, accompanied by an improvised organ score from David Bednall.

Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/4wzbmwyy

We're loving these pictures from our February screenings at The Mount Without - the perfect location for drama and romance on the big screen!

We can't wait to be back at this fab location - be sure to sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about our latest events and tickets!

It's a week to go until our weekend celebrating 75 years of classic Ealing Comedies.

KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS has now sold out (with another screening added in September), but there are still tickets available for PASSPORT TO PIMLICO on Friday 8th March, complete with a themed wine tasting. 🍷

If you're a rugby fan, we're also screening A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY on Saturday afternoon - this underrated Ealing gem follows two rugby-mad Welsh miners on their first trip to London - and rugby fans will be pleased to note that it finishes just in time for the England’s Six Nation match against Ireland…! 🏈

Find out more at including details about timings and accessibility, at bristolfilmfestival.com/events

🌟 *FLASH SALE* 🌟
We don't do this very often 👀

But then, leap years only happen once every four years…

As it's February 29th, we are holding an ad-hoc flash sale across all of our events. Until 9am on Friday 1st March get 10% off any ticket order using the code LEAPYEAR2024

Whether you're keen to delve into an afternoon of Ealing comedy, take flight with a dose of Eighties action, or take a glimpse into the future with TEDxBRISTOL, we've got the film for you!

Find out more about what's on at bristolfilmfestival.com/events

🎬 It's just a week until our first 'Epics @ Everyman' screening. EYES WIDE SHUT - Kubrick's final film - turns 25 this year and we’re looking forward to bringing it back to the big screen. Your ticket will include an espresso martini, the perfect pick-me-up cocktail to accompany a film concerned with mysterious and beguiling nocturnal activities…

We're delighted to be partnering with - the perfect place to sit back, relax, and discover - or rediscover - a classic film.

Find out more - and book tickets - via Everyman's website: http://tinyurl.com/2s52h88

Did you miss out on our Valentine's screening of Amélie?

Due to huge demand, we've added another date - you can catch this fantastical French romantic comedy again on 8th June at Averys Wine Cellars (complete with a French wine tasting, too!)

You can find out more, including information about timings and accessibility on our website ❤

Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/38kdzahw

Last few tickets for PRETTY IN PINK tomorrow - we’re looking forward to sampling some rosés and lighter reds with Averys Wine Cellars!

​Tonight’s screening of AMÉLIE has sold out, but we’ve added an extra night on Saturday 8th June, complete with a French wine tasting to complement the film 🥂🍷🇫🇷
​
​Tickets at: https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/vintage-screening-events

Due to huge demand, we have added new dates for two of our sold-out Vintage Screenings with Wine Cellars

Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s delightful romantic comedy Amélie will be returning this June, after our Valentine's Day screening sold out. Led by a career-defining performance from Audrey Tautou, this film wowed international audiences and critics alike upon release and became one of French cinema’s all-time box office bestsellers. More than two decades since its release, it’s lost none of its charm and joie de vivre - and of course, we will be pairing it with some suitably splendid French wines!

After Burns Night, we’re also delighted to be returning to the Isle of Todday for another screening of Whisky Galore! on Saturday 6th April (aka Tartan Day, for the Scottish diaspora across the Atlantic). Enjoy this timeless tale of islanders “rescuing” their beloved Scotch from a stricken ship with a flight of whiskies from around the key regions of Scotland (or with a wine flight if the water of life really isn’t to your taste).

More details, including information about timings and accessibility can be found here: https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/vintage-screening-events

With the start of the Six Nations later this evening, we're thrilled to be announcing another film as part of our celebration of Ealing comedies turning 75 this year...

A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY follows two rugby-mad Welsh miners on their first trip to London - it’s an underrated Ealing gem, and rugby fans will be pleased to note that it finishes just in time for the England’s Six Nation match against Ireland on Saturday 9th March...

Find out more, including information about timings and venue accessibility on our website: https://www.bristolfilmfestival.com/event/a-run-for-your-money

VENUE SPOTLIGHT: The Mount Without

We love working at The Mount Without, a unique creative space (formerly a church) on St Michael's Hill.

There has been a church on this site for over 900 years, with the original structure dating back to the Norman era; the unusual name comes from an era when it was outside the city’s walls.

After major renovation works in the late 18th Century, and again after damage from the Bristol Blitz, the church finally closed its doors and was deconsecrated in 1999. The building was the victim of an arson attack in 2016, but after years of restoration work it has now reopened as one of Bristol’s most unique and characterful new event spaces.

With two atmospheric spaces, guests can enjoy a drink in the Crypt Bar, before taking their seats in Main Hall, beneath a breathtaking infinity sign.

Previous screenings here have included THE LOST BOYS, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, TWILIGHT, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and more - this February, join us for a double bill of Baz Luhrmann epics, ROMEO + JULIET and MOULIN ROUGE!

With January (nearly) behind us, we're excited to share this year's February programme with you!

Whether you’re into retro romance or epic love stories, check out our screenings at Averys Wine Cellars and The Mount Without for something to set your heart a-fluttering.

Later in the month, join us for the first of our our Epics at Everyman with , with a screening of EYES WIDE SHUT on 28th February.

Find out about what's on and book tickets at bristolfilmfestival.com, where you can also discover more about each venue and event, including information about accessibility. ❤

Our new series is a little bit EPIC...

New for 2024, we’re excited to announce our newest collaboration, a partnership with Everyman Bristol: “Epics @ Everyman”! We’ll be screening classic films from across the decades, particularly those with longer run times, that you can enjoy from the comfort of Everyman’s sofas.

Our first film is the haunting erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut. Stanley Kubrick’s final film turns 25 this year, and we’re looking forward to bringing it back to the big screen!

Your ticket will include an espresso martini, the perfect pick-me-up cocktail to accompany a film concerned with mysterious and beguiling nocturnal activities…

Find out more: https://www.everymancinema.com/film-listing/325964-bff-presents-epics-at-everyman-eyes-wide-shut/

We’re returning to St Mary Redcliffe this April for a very special centenary double bill screening of two films from one of the all-time great filmmakers and performers, Buster Keaton, accompanied by a truly one-of-a-kind musical performance. 🎬

Join us after dusk in this magnificent building to watch these pieces of cinema history come to life.

The satirical nautical misadventure The Navigator and the genre-bending, fourth wall-breaking Sherlock Jr both turn 100 this year, and for this event they will be accompanied by a live, entirely improvised organ recital by the award-winning composer Dr. David Bednall, blending silent cinema with live music to create a unique performance that promises to add another dimension to Keaton’s capers, 100 years since they first delighted audiences. 🎼

All tickets for this screening are available via our website, where you can also find out more information about the event, including timings and accessibility ❤️

Getting ready for our first screening of the year at Averys Wine Cellars tonight - a special Burns Night screening of WHISKY GALORE!, complete with a whisky tasting covering four of the main regions of Scotch Whisky production - Lowland, Highland, Speyside and Islay...

Tickets for this evening are sold out, but add your name to the event's waiting list to be the first to hear about extra screenings...

Our Red Carpet Club is an opportunity for film-lovers to make the most of our events throughout the year.

Members receive:
✅ 10% Discount on all tickets

⏰ Advance booking notifications

📩 Members Newsletter

🪑 Reserved seating in prime spots at all of our screenings - meaning you're never worried about getting the best seats!

🎫 Invitations to exclusive events and screenings

If you're a regular attendee of our screenings, Red Carpet Club membership is a great way to make the most of our screenings. We've got some exciting developments planned for members this year too, so watch this space!

Interested in joining? Please feel free to get in touch for more information - or visit our website if you want to get started straight away!

🩷 Love is in the air!

By which we mean love for a big dash of Eighties nostalgia, with John Hughes classic PRETTY IN PINK.

This is by far one of our most requested films, so we're delighted to finally be screening it alongside a tasting of delicious rosés and red wine at Averys Wine Cellars.

Our first two Vintage Screenings of 2024 have already sold out, so grab your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment! 🎬

All tickets can be booked through our website, where you can also find out more information about the event, including timings and accessibility ❤