BIG CINEMA, POCKET-MONEY PRICES: ROMFORD SHORT FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH NEARLY 100 FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.
News from the much loved Lumiere Cinema.
A two-day celebration of grassroots filmmaking brings international talent, local voices, and networking to Lumiere Cinema for just £10.
The Romford Short Film Festival is returning for its second edition on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September, delivering a powerhouse weekend of independent cinema designed to be accessible to everyone in a time of rising living costs.
Across two action-packed days, the festival will showcase 94 short films across two screens at the Lumiere Cinema in Romford. Ranging from punchy one-minute visual experiments to gripping 25-minute mini-features, the lineup spans genres including drama, comedy, animation, documentary, and dark thrillers.
Championing Global Vision and Local Grassroots Talent
Originally launched in 2025 to give a dedicated platform to the overwhelming volume of top-tier shorts submitted to the main festival, the Romford Short Film Festival has quickly evolved into an essential standalone event.
The 2026 programme brings a truly international flavour—featuring films from the USA, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan, Spain, Belarus, and Portugal—alongside 10 films created in and around Romford or made by filmmakers originating from the local area.
A Festival Built on Access and Community
To ensure cinema remains open to everyone during challenging economic times, festival passes are priced at just £10 for the entire two-day event, and just £5 for Lumiere Cinema members.
Each day runs from 10:30 AM into the early evening, with films grouped into curated themed blocks. Every session is followed by live in-person Q&As with visiting directors and cast members, giving audiences direct access to the creative minds behind the screen. As evening falls, the festival hosts casual mingle and networking sessions, allowing local creators and visiting international filmmakers to connect and collaborate on future projects.
“The Romford Film Festival brand has always been about putting small films on big screens,” said the festival team. “Over the past decade, many indie filmmakers who started with us have gone on to direct major studio blockbusters and work with some of the biggest stars in the industry. The Short Film Festival is your chance to catch the next generation of visionary directors before they become household names.”
Ticket Availability
Tickets are selling rapidly, with over 70% of seats already booked. Audiences are encouraged to secure their passes early to avoid missing out on next weekend’s screenings.
• Dates: Saturday 5th September – Sunday 6th September
• Times: Daily from 10:30 AM (Screenings & Q&As) followed by evening networking
• Venue: Lumiere Cinema, Romford
• Tickets: £10 Full Festival Pass / £5 for Lumiere Members
• Full Schedule & Booking: romfordfilmfestival.com/shortfilmfest
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