Purbeck Film Festival OCT/NOV 2024

🗓️ Friday 18th October – Saturday 2nd November 2024

Settle into autumn with the 29th Purbeck Film Festival’s packed programme of over 80 film screenings at 30 fantastic venues across Purbeck.

The annual festival brings a diverse range of cinema to rural areas, with the latest international arthouse cinema as well as much-loved classics showing in a range of venues from local cinemas to village halls.

1920s Art Deco cinema called The Rex in Wareham

Swanage’s Mowlem Theatre and The Rex Cinema in Wareham are at the festival’s heart and have become important hubs of this longest-running rural and coastal film festival in the UK, which began life in 1996.

Special, smaller venues are dotted throughout the Purbeck countryside providing an intimate setting for screenings, including at Swanage Waterworks, Carey’s Secret Garden and Creech Grange.

As well as the main film programme there’ll be the opportunity as always to take part in Q&A sessions with directors and producers, as well as special events screenings.

Programme – 2023

The programme for last year’s Swanage-based screenings:

Durlston Castle

  • Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (PG) – Tuesday 24 October, 7.30 pm
  • Little English (12A) – Wednesday 25 October, 7.30 pm
  • How To Blow Up A Pipeline (15) – Thursday 26 October, 7.30pm
  • Hello, Bookstore (PG) – Tuesday 31 October 7.30pm
  • A Crack in the Mountain (12A) – Wednesday 1 November, 7.30pm
  • Official Competition (15) – Thursday 2 November, 7.30pm
Durlston Castle (front exterior view)
Durlston Castle

The Mowlem

  • One Fine Morning (Un beau matin) (15) – Friday 20 October, 6.30pm
  • 84 Charing Cross Road (PG) – Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
  • The Punch and Judy Man (U) – Sunday 22 October 7.30pm
  • Boy (15) – Monday 23 October, 6.30pm
  • The Piano (15) – Monday 23 October, 8.30pm
  • Rimini (18) – Tuesday 24 October, 7.30pm
  • Brother (18) – Wednesday 25 October, 7.30pm
  • Corsage (15) – Thursday 26 October, 7.30pm
  • Hopper – An American Love Story (12A) – Friday 27, October 7.30pm
  • Other People’s Children (15) – Saturday 28 October, 6pm
  • Full Time (Ă€ Plein Temps) (12A) – Saturday 28 October, 8.30pm
  • Once Upon a Time in the West (15) – Sunday 29 October, 7.30pm
  • Women Talking (15) – Monday 30 October, 2.30pm
  • Pretty Red Dress (15) – Monday 30 October, 7.30pm
  • Decision to Leave (15) – Tuesday 31 October, 7.30pm
  • Polite Society (12A) – Wednesday 1 November, 7.30pm
  • Vermeer – The Greatest Exhibition (PG) – Thursday 2 November, 7.30pm
  • Close (12A) – Friday 3 November, 7.30pm
  • The Purbeck Shorts Competition – Saturday 4 November, 5pm
The Cellar Bar at The Mowlem in Swanage
The Mowlem

St Mary’s Church

  • Human Flow (12A) – Monday 23 October, 7.30 pm

Swanage Waterworks

  • Three Colours: Blue (15) – Saturday 21 October, 7pm for film start 7.30pm
  • Three Colours: Red (15) – Sunday 22 October, 7pm for 7.30pm start

Purbeck Shorts Competition

Every year, the festival runs an international competition, giving budding filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their talent in categories such as animation and live action.

Prizes are awarded at The Mowlem on the last day of the festival.

For more information or to enter visit the competition’s web page: filmfreeway.com/PurbeckFilmFestival

Open-Air Cinema

In addition to the main October festival, there are various outdoor screenings held in the summer at a range of fantastic locations across Purbeck, such as within the grounds of Corfe Castle, The Blue Pool and Durlston Country Park.

It’s a great way to enjoy the warm summer evenings – simply book your ticket, and bring along a blanket and some snacks for a memorable movie night under the stars.

Support the festival

If you want to support the annual PFF film festival you can become a member, sponsor or donate online.

Membership includes an invitation for two people to the festival’s opening gala event, as well as other fun perks. Upgrade to Gold to enjoy two free shows and have your name credited as a supporter.

  • Festival member – ÂŁ35 a year
  • Festival Gold member – ÂŁ165 to sponsor a film
  • Buy vouchers – Pick up the perfect present for your film-buff friend by buying PFF vouchers
  • Donate online: www.purbeckfilm.com/donate/

The Purbeck Film Festival is a registered charity going from strength to strength thanks to local and filmgoers’ support, and the support of the British Film Institute.