Co-Director
Gurjant Singh
“Independent film deserves more than a sideline.”
4th Edition · 29 Apr – 03 May 2026
Wolverhampton Film Festival
Independent film deserves more than a sideline.
What We Do
Wolverhampton Film Festival is for independent filmmakers across all genres. We screen the work, hand out the awards, and make sure people actually see it.
Founded in 2022, the festival now has backing from BFI Network, UK Government funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund, and a partnership with the University of Wolverhampton.
What matters to us
- Access: We keep prices low and programme for audiences who don't often get invited.
- Breadth: Features, shorts, music videos, animation, experimental. If it's a film, we'll watch it.
- Quality: We reject a lot. What makes the programme has earned its place.
- Community: We want the filmmakers and the audiences to actually talk to each other.
4th
Edition
70+
Awards & Screenings
2000+
Submissions Received
5
Days of Cinema
Got a film ready?
Submit on FilmFreewayThe People Behind the Festival
Meet the Directors
WFF was built by people who believe that the best cinema rarely comes from where you expect it. Gurjant Singh and Arun Kapur founded the festival in 2022 on that conviction, and have spent four years proving it.
Co-Director
Arun Kapur
“Drawn to the films that resist easy description.”
What to Expect
Five Days of Cinema
Screenings, masterclasses, workshops and an awards ceremony. All at Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton.
Feature & Short Films
Curated screenings of features, shorts, documentaries and experimental work from around the world.
33 Award Categories
From the Wolf Award for Best Film to 32 other categories celebrating excellence across genres and crafts.
Masterclasses & Panels
Working directors, producers and crew in conversation. Past guests have included credits at Netflix, BBC and Peaky Blinders.
Awards Ceremony
Celebrate winners and emerging talent at our closing night on 3 May 2026.
Global Community
Filmmakers have come from every corner of the world. Everyone is welcome at WFF.
Arena Theatre
All screenings and events at Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton city centre. Fully accessible venue.
Recognition
The Awards
33 categories celebrating excellence across all genres and crafts.
Standard Awards
26 Categories
From Best Film Overall to direction, cinematography, sound and more. Every craft recognised.
- Best Film Overall (Wolf Award)
- Best Director
- Best Feature & Short Film
- Best Screenplay & Music Video
- All Technical Categories
- Genre-Specific Awards
The Highest Honour
The Wolf Award
Given to the film that best represents the spirit of WFF: independent, fearless and made with craft.
Recent Winners
- 2025 Terminal — Sunny Bahia
- 2024 Under The Blue — Linda Ludwig & James Curle
- 2023 Boy In The Back Seat — Scott Pickup
- 2022 Mid-Light Crisis — Matthew Hubble
Specialty Awards
7 Categories
For emerging talent, first-time filmmakers and voices underrepresented in cinema.
- Best Young Male / Female Actor
- Best First Time Filmmaker
- Best Student Filmmaker
- Best Original Score
- Best Sound Design
- Best LGBTQ+
2025 Festival
2025 Winners
The films and filmmakers who made last year's festival.
Wolf Award
Terminal
Directed by Sunny Bahia
The 2025 Wolf Award winner for Best Film Overall at Wolverhampton Film Festival.
Talking Rubbish
Ian Donnelly
Best Short
BLACKPOOL
Stephen Gallacher
Best Feature Film
Mellowcroft
Luke Dell
Best Cinematography
PUNCHING BAG
Rob Ayling
Best Sound
Look Back
Yasmin Godo
Best Animated Film
CLEMENTINE
Natasha Dubalia
Best Screenplay
Before You Leave
Louise Thomas
Best Editing
Gardening
Sarah Beeby
Best Director
2026 Jury
Judges Panel
Five leading voices in independent cinema.
Katie Bignell
Film Festival Strategist
Festival Formula
Nigel Morgan
Director
Shabaz Ali
Broadcaster
James Wren
Festival Director
Unrestricted Film Festival
Lateesha Johnson
BFI Network Talent Coordinator
BFI Network
Submit Your Film
Submissions are open for WFF 2026. Features, shorts, documentaries, music videos and experimental work are all welcome. No prior commercial release required.
Features: 40–180 minutes
Shorts: Under 40 minutes
Micro Shorts: Under 5 minutes
Early bird deadline: 31 January 2026
Regular deadline: 28 February 2026
Late deadline: 31 March 2026
Supported By
Our Partners
Organisations committed to independent film and emerging talent.
Funding & Government
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Strategic Partners
BFI Network
University of Wolverhampton
Create Central
Service Partners
Pinboard Media
Media Dog Hire
Interested in supporting independent film?
Become a PartnerStay in the Loop
Festival Updates
Submission deadlines, screening announcements and news from WFF, straight to your inbox.
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