đď¸ Friday 16th October – Sunday 1st November 2026
Settle into autumn with the Purbeck Film Festival – a packed programme of film screenings and events at venues across the Isle of Purbeck and beyond.
The annual festival, which is celebrating its 30th year, is one of the UK’s longest-running rural film festivals and will welcome actor Rowan Atkinson to The Mowlem at a special ‘Jacques Tati day’ as part of the festival on Saturday 17th October.
It brings a diverse range of cinema to rural areas, with the latest in international arthouse cinema as well as much-loved classics showing in a range of venues from local cinemas to village halls.
Swanage’s Mowlem Theatre and The Rex Cinema in Wareham are at the festivalâs heart and have become important hubs for festival screenings and events.
Highlights
This year’s Purbeck Film Festive highlights include:
Three Gala Nights
- Opening Gala Evening: At The Mowlem on Friday 16th October, 6.30pm. Featuring New Zealand drama TinÄ, making its debut screening in Britain; with pre-film wine and Salt Pig canapĂŠs
- Family Gala: At The Etches Collection on Saturday 17th October, 4pm. Enjoy a ‘Dig-A-Saurus’ ice cream whilst watching a screening of Jurassic Park amongst the museum’s fossil collection
- Rex Gala: Thursday 29th October, 7.30pm. Enjoy a free Purbeck Cider at a screening of North Macedonian film DJ Ahmet
Special Guests
- Rowan Atkinson – Saturday 17th October: The Actor will be joining a screening of Jacques Tati’s Mr Hulotâs Holiday at The Mowlem and discussing the Tati’s influence on his work in a conversation chaired by broadcaster and cultural historian Matthew Sweet. UCL Professor Matthew Beaumont prefaces this event with a lecture earlier in the day
- Philippa Lowthorpe – Monday 19th October,: A Q&A with the BAFTA-winning director following a screening of H is for Hawk
- Orban Wallace – Tuesday 20th October: Panel discussion with documentary filmmaker Orban Wallace at Durlston
- David Bickerstaff – Tuesday 20th October (Russell Coates) & Wednesday 21st October (The Mowlem): Q&As with artist & filmmaker David Bickerstaff
- Eddy Pearce – Friday 23rd October: Q&A with location manager & photographer Eddy Pearce after a screening of Sense and Sensibility at The Mowlem
- Rory Wilson – Wednesday 28th October: Writer-director Rory Wilson will attend the screening of his debut war drama Terra at Dorchester Film Society
- Jojo Warne – Sunday 18th October: British location scout & manager will share her experience of being a location scout in the film industry – productions include One Life, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and upcoming The Beekeeper 2
(More guest appearances to be announced).
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.
In addition to films, there are Q&A sessions with directors and producers, as well as special events screenings and the annual Purbeck Short Film Festival competition.
The festival kicks off with a glitzy gala evening and many movie showings include a meal or drinks & nibbles to make your cinematic experience one to remember.
The Festival programme is now live – find full details, along with film synopses, timings and ticket information on the Purbeck Film Festival website: https://purbeckfilm.com
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 autumn festival, Purbeck Film Festival has a programme of summer outdoor screenings across Purbeck, including Corfe Castle, The Blue Pool and Durlston Country Park.
Itâs 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 Purbeck Film Festival visit its website to find out how you can donate or be an individual or corporate sponsor online: purbeckfilm.com/supportus/
