The annual FilmChelt festival returns this October giving film lovers the chance to immerse themselves in a host of films, from the year’s hottest releases to classics and cult movies.
FilmChelt held its first festival in 2025, screening more than 40 award winning and world class films in Cheltenham over 10 days. This year’s festival runs from Friday 30 October to Sunday 8 November.
The 2026 festival hosts an exciting programme, more guests, speakers and events, and gives film lovers the chance to be the first to enjoy many of the year’s biggest films before general release.
Themes added this year include a focus on cult films, classics that have stood the test of time, AI and a special look at films from the Middle East, films that look beyond past and present conflicts in the region, to the people, culture, history and landscapes.
FilmChelt is run by a team of film loving volunteers who have created Cheltenham’s leading film festival adding to the strength and depth of the cultural vibrancy of the festival town.
This year’s festival, from the initial planning to the event itself, is being captured and documented in an innovative collaboration with the University of Gloucestershire. Students studying film and TV production are gaining valuable industry experience producing a fly on the wall documentary. The project supports FilmChelt’s ethos and vision to encourage and nurture film makers of the future.
Highlights of this year’s programme will be revealed later this summer with the full programme announced in early September when tickets will go on sale.
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