Folkestone Documentary Festival 2026

03/09/2026

The trailer’s here!! 🎬

Here’s a little taste of what’s coming to Folkestone from 22–25 October. 24 films, 8 premieres, Q&As, parties, workshops and plenty more!! 😍

Come see what we’ve got in store.

Full programme + tickets → link in bio

Trailer by

With huge thanks to: .south .uk .folkestone

02/09/2026

It’s here!! 👀

Full programme → website in bio!

24 films. 10 countries. 8 premieres. One very good reason to come to Folkestone this October.

22-25 October 😁🎬🌊

We’re releasing our official trailer HERE tomorrow at 10:00!

26/08/2026

🎬 NEXT WEEK AT DOC CLUB

🌿 SUPER NATURE
🎥 Screening followed by a live Q&A with director Ed Sayers.

Join us for a unique documentary filmed across 25 countries on vintage Super 8 cameras, bringing together the perspectives of 40 collaborators.

A visually immersive celebration of the natural world, Super Nature explores our connection to the places and creatures we share the planet with, and what we stand to lose.

📅 Wednesday, September 2nd
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 Silver Screen

✨ PLUS: THE FOLKESTONE DOC FEST PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT

Join us for an evening of film, conversation and a first look at what’s coming up at Folkestone Doc Fest.

11/08/2026

We’re excited part of the exclusive Q&A tour of the brand new documentary Super Nature showing at the Silver Screen Cinema on Wednesday the 2nd of September!

On the night we will also be announcing the programme for the sixth edition of the festival which takes place from the 22-25 of October.

A love letter to nature filmed exclusively on Super 8, Super Nature proposes a new way of seeing. A celebration of all we have and reflecting on all we have to lose, this global co-creation project journeys across 25 different countries, creating a visceral, poetic and personal meditation on the natural world.

‘A really really remarkable film capturing the wonders of the world on Super 8. Uplifting… life-affirming… organic… It feels like it’s got a physical soul to it. I want people to see it in cinemas, it is a theatrical experience’
Mark Kermode, Kermode on Film Podcast

Book your tickets with Silver Screen Cinema

30/07/2026

⏰ Only one day left to grab your Early Bird Festival Pass! 🎟️

Secure your place now and be part of four days of incredible documentaries, Q&As, special events and seaside cinema culture 🎬🌊

Get your Early Bird Festival Pass before 31 July for just £40 (£25 concession).

Don’t miss your chance to join Folkestone Documentary Festival 2026.

22/07/2026

Join the Folkestone Documentary Festival team!

Just one week to go until the Emerging Festival Producer deadline.

Are you based in Folkestone or East Kent? Love film? Curious about festivals? Looking for your first step into the creative industries?

We're excited to be looking for an Emerging Festival Producer to join our small, friendly team and help bring this year's Folkestone Documentary Festival to life.

This paid freelance opportunity is perfect for someone based in Folkestone or East Kent who is passionate about film and wants to gain hands-on experience producing an established documentary festival. Working alongside our experienced team, you'll help welcome filmmakers and audiences, support events, and discover what goes on behind the scenes of a film festival.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone in Folkestone or East Kent who's been wondering how to get into the film industry. No previous experience needed - we're looking for enthusiasm and potential. Please share with anyone who might be interested.

🗓 Applications close Wednesday 29 July at 5pm
👉 Find out more on our website https://www.folkestonedocumentaryfestival.co.uk/news/jobs/



Silver Screen Cinema Folkestone Screen South Creative Folkestone Film Hub South East Independent Cinema Office

19/07/2026

🎥 “I don’t have a proper camera…!!!”

Perfect. Use your phone.

The Folkestone Documentary Festival Filmmaking Challenge isn’t about having the fanciest gear! It’s about finding a story worth telling :-)

📱 Film on your phone (or any camera)
🎬 Keep it under 5 minutes
📍 You’re based in Kent
📍 Tell a story from Kent
🏆 You could win one of two £1,000 film equipment prizes and have your documentary screened at the festival this October.

Whether you’ve never made a film before or you’ve been doing it for years, this challenge is for you.

Check out all details/rules and submission info via our website.

So… what’s stopping you? 👀

13/07/2026

Work with us - Emerging Festival Producer

Are you passionate about film? Curious about how festivals are put together? Looking for your first step into the film industry?

Folkestone Documentary Festival is looking for an enthusiastic Emerging Festival Producer to join its small, friendly team and help deliver this year’s festival, taking place 22-25 October at Silver Screen Cinema and venues across Folkestone.

This is a paid freelance opportunity for someone based in Folkestone or East Kent who wants to gain practical, hands-on experience behind the scenes of an established documentary film festival. You’ll work alongside an experienced team, develop new skills, meet filmmakers from around the world and play an important role in creating an unforgettable festival experience for audiences and guests.

No previous festival or film industry experience is required – just enthusiasm, curiosity, good organisational skills and a willingness to get involved.

This role is based in Folkestone. Applicants should live in Folkestone or East Kent and be able to travel to Folkestone regularly during September and October, including throughout the festival (22–25 October).

Full job details are on our website.

Questions?

We’d be happy to have an informal chat about the role before you apply. If you’d like to find out more, or want to discuss whether this opportunity might be right for you, get in touch at [email protected], and we’ll arrange a convenient time to talk.

Interviews will be held in-person on Friday 14 August 2026 in Folkestone. We look forward to hearing from you.

The closing date for this position is 29/07/2026 at 17:00

Picture credit: Megan Wyrill (FDF 2025)

12/07/2026

Told through never-before-seen footage from Buckley’s archives and intimate accounts from his mother Mary Guibert, former partners Rebecca Moore and Joan Wasser, Jeff’s former bandmates, including Michael Tighe and Parker Kindred, and luminaries like Ben Harper and Aimee Mann, IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY illuminates one of modern music’s most influential and enigmatic figures.

🎬 Doc Club screening

📍 July 29th, 7:30pm — Silver Screen

“Amy Berg’s arresting documentary delves into the early life and untimely death of the 90s singer-songwriter, with extensive contributions from his mother and girlfriends” - The Guardian

Don’t miss it.

FilmCommuni

01/07/2026

The second of our FREE Filmmaking Challenge workshops in partnership with Screen South and Klip Films is coming up on Wednesday 8 July, 6-8pm at Screen South.

Shortlisted filmmakers from previous years will screen their films and talk honestly about their process - from first ideas and filming challenges to editing and finding the heart of the story. Expect practical advice, behind-the-scenes insights and reassurance that great documentary films can come from simple ideas and limited resources.

Followed by a Q&A and an opportunity for informal 1-2-1 chats with the team afterwards.

We're delighted to confirm that we will be joined by Leah Thorn & Rhiana Bonterre (Threading the Cheap Needle); Sharon Burrell (Transcendence); Suzanne Harb (We Don't Have Wifi. We Talk to Each Other) and Oliver Pratt (John and the Ossuary).

Book your free tickets in advance through Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/filmmaking-challenge-2026-meet-the-makers-tickets-1989542858246?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Screening of four previously shortlisted documentaries: Discover how they filmed, edited and found their stories and chat with the team.