Portsmouth might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of the movies, but it certainly holds its own when it comes to film festivals.
Our city has built a quietly impressive reputation for nurturing film talent, celebrating independent cinema, and putting on distinctive events that reflect its creative spirit. While it doesn’t host dozens of festivals each year, the ones it does have are genuine labours of love: thoughtfully curated, accessible to all, and packed with originality.
What Portsmouth lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in character. The local film festivals aren’t about red carpets and paparazzi. They’re about discovering brilliant stories, championing new voices, and sharing memorable experiences in unexpected spaces, from historic churches and old pubs to pop-up cinemas and iconic local venues.
A Snapshot of the Local Film Scene
The city’s film scene is small but vibrant. The University of Portsmouth plays a major role, with one of the UK’s top-accredited Film & Television Production departments. Dozens of students each year graduate with hands-on experience, and many go on to contribute to local festivals or start production companies of their own.
The Portsmouth Film Society also helps maintain a steady diet of indie, world cinema, and classic screenings throughout the year, while smaller initiatives like Southsea Cinema support regular screenings, workshops, and community film nights.
Add to this a growing number of production companies, a strong tradition of local storytelling, and an appetite for immersive and innovative film experiences, and you’ve got the makings of a city that punches above its weight when it comes to film culture.
The Festivals
Here are the film festivals in Portsmouth you need to know about.
Making Waves Film Festival
Arguably the crown jewel of Portsmouth’s film calendar, Making Waves has been running since 2010 and continues to evolve with each passing year. It’s not your typical film festival. Yes, it has screenings, competitions, and industry panels—but it’s also known for turning film into a full sensory experience.
Past events have included immersive cinema nights in breweries, secret-location screenings with live-action tie-ins (like a Reservoir Dogs tribute called “Pompey Dogs”), and site-specific storytelling that transforms ordinary venues into living sets. It’s imaginative, ambitious, and deeply rooted in the local arts community.
Making Waves is also a serious platform for emerging talent. There’s a strong emphasis on student and independent filmmakers, with a competitive short film section judged by professionals. Local talent is celebrated, and the atmosphere is always welcoming—whether you’re a filmmaker, a film buff, or just curious.
The festival usually takes place in the spring, often around March, and uses a variety of venues across Portsmouth, including the Wedgewood Rooms, Staggeringly Good Brewery, and St Simon’s Church.
Shorts::Cut Film Festival
Shorts::Cut is one of the longest-running film events in the city, with a history going back to 2005. As the name suggests, it’s all about short films, with a particular focus on filmmakers from Portsmouth and the surrounding regions: Hampshire, West Sussex, and the Isle of Wight.
What sets Shorts::Cut apart is its commitment to showcasing regional and student work. It provides a valuable platform for those just starting out in film, as well as more seasoned creatives who want to try something bold in short form. The atmosphere is low-key but passionate, with audiences often getting the chance to chat with filmmakers after the screenings.
The festival typically runs once or twice a year, with recent editions taking place in March and October at Southsea Cinema. Submissions are open to anyone in the eligible regions, with prizes awarded for Best Local Film, Best Student Film, Best Script, and more. If you’re looking for a festival that genuinely nurtures homegrown talent, this is the one.
Pompeywood Film Festival
Portsmouth might not seem like an obvious hub for horror and genre filmmaking, but Pompeywood is working hard to change that. This relatively new addition to the city’s film calendar has already carved out a niche for itself as the home of indie horror, sci-fi, and thrillers on the South Coast.
Originally launched in 2022, Pompeywood is a one-day festival that mixes short films with the occasional cult classic feature. It’s proudly independent, grassroots in tone, and full of love for the genre. Expect plenty of horror shorts, Q&As with local filmmakers, and a crowd that genuinely loves its cinema a little strange and spooky.
It’s not just about the scares, though. The festival also gives awards across a range of categories, including Best Local Film, Best Cinematography, and Audience Favourite. If you’ve got a soft spot for the weird and wonderful, or you just want a lively night of short films and lively discussion, Pompeywood is a great addition to the city’s cultural calendar.
Recent events have been held at the Wedgewood Rooms and other community spaces, usually around September or October. It’s run by Trash Arts and HB Films—local creative collectives that are helping to push Portsmouth’s indie scene forward.
Banff Mountain Film Festival (Portsmouth Edition)
While not a homegrown festival, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is a regular feature on Portsmouth’s event listings and draws a dedicated crowd. The festival, which originates in Banff, Canada, sends a touring programme of short adventure documentaries to cities around the world—including Portsmouth.
The local edition typically takes place twice a year—once in the spring and again in the autumn—and is hosted at the Kings Theatre. It’s a must for fans of climbing, skiing, kayaking, paragliding, and other adrenaline-heavy pursuits, but the films go deeper than just action. Many tell powerful human stories about perseverance, exploration, and connection with nature.
Banff may not be a Portsmouth creation, but its regular stop here shows the city’s appetite for high-quality, thought-provoking cinema—especially when paired with world-class visuals and stories that inspire.
That’s a Wrap
Portsmouth may not have dozens of film festivals, but the ones it hosts are full of creativity, heart, and purpose. They’re accessible, welcoming, and closely connected to the people who live and work here.
Whether you’re a filmmaker looking for a place to screen your work, a student starting out, or just someone who loves a good story told well, Portsmouth’s film festivals have something to offer.
For a city its size, Portsmouth holds its own and then some. These events aren’t just about watching films. They’re about building a community of storytellers and film lovers who believe that great cinema can thrive anywhere, even, or especially, by the sea.