Folkestone Documentary Festival 2026

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Folkestone Documentary Festival 2026

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Folkestone Documentary Festival 2026, Festival, C/O Screen South The Glassworks Digital Hub Mill Bay, Folkestone.

The festival was created in 2021 to celebrate documentary in all its forms, from social issues to culture to the environment and nature, or just great real stories, with community collaborations at the heart of programming.

14/09/2026

🦉 HE ESCAPED THE ZOO. THEN HE BECAME A LEGEND.

Join us at Folkestone Documentary Festival for the UK premiere of Wild Inside, directed by Penny Lane.

A Eurasian Eagle-Owl named Flaco escapes from the Central Park Zoo and sets off on a magical odyssey through the island of Manhattan. Flaco overcomes his years of captivity and lack of survival skills to answer the call of the wild - and discovers he was wild inside all along.

Funny, touching and joyful, Wild Inside is a brilliant all-rounder that’s sure to please everyone.

📅 Sunday 25 October 2026, 1:30pm
🎟️ Tickets from £5

Standard: £8
Under 26s: £5
Cost of Living: £5 no questions asked
Festival Passes: £35 concession / £50 full price

Folkestone Documentary Festival | 22-25 October 2026

12/09/2026

Calling all filmmakers, artists and documentary-curious people. Do you want to know more about documentary film craft, find out who is funding and distributing independent non-fiction projects and documentary art, and meet with other film creatives and potential collaborators?

Then book for this jam-packed day of presentations, panel discussions, case studies, one-to-ones and networking at Creative Folkestone Quarterhouse in partnership with Doc Society BFI Doc Society and Screen South

The day will open with a keynote session will be led by the team from Glimmerama = Glimmer Films amplified the creative distribution arm of Glimmer Films, the company behind 2026 festival film All Rivers Spill Their Stories to The Sea and previous festival opening film Your Fat Friend. Jeanie Finlay and suzanne_alizart will discuss ideas for rethinking the engagements documentary makers have with audiences through innovative release strategies. Presenting case studies learned from their experiments in documentary distribution crafted for specific audiences, they’ll present a new frontier for film releasing done with care.

The day features varied and informative panels including conversations with talented filmmakers and execs about documentary features, shorts, and hybrid projects. Open to all, whatever level of experience. The sessions are ‘relaxed’ and there will be tea and coffee available throughout the day if you need to take a break.

There will also be a chance for Industry Day ticket holders to book 1-to-1s with industry experts. These slots are offered on a first come first served basis and will be available to book on the day so arrive early to secure a slot!

Industry Day will be followed by networking drinks at club sponsored by Docker and Dr Jekyll’s mysteriously refreshing b**r. Free to Industry Day ticket holders.

All for the amazing ticket price of £5. Check out the full programme and book your tickets at www.folkestonedocumentaryfestival.co.uk

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)

Address

C/O Screen South The Glassworks Digital Hub Mill Bay
Folkestone
CT201JG

Website

http://www.folkestonedocumentaryfestival.co.uk/

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