Spirit of Independence Sheffield

11/09/2026

After a sold out premiere at Edinburgh International Film Fest ‘s Snapshot is coming to Sheffield. This brilliant reinvention of the found footage genre observes a group of female ghost hunters in Victorian England through the unique device of a pinhole camera. Set in period of Jack the Ripper, it explores media manipulation and unreliable narrators to explore our modern news landscape. Scroll through for some Letterboxd reviews and book your tickets for Sunday 27th September at The Light Sheffield via www.soifilmfestival.com

Spirit of Independence is proudly sponsored by strange_vice

10/09/2026

Had a great time last Tuesday at Sheffield Hallam University Film Festival seeing the latest student work made even more special by introducing an excellent talk by our friends Watts Brothers on their approach to making kick ass feature films using their indie film framework

09/09/2026

Q: what’s a demented body horror comedy made by THUNDERLIPS that’s closing Spirit of Independence on Sunday 27th September at The Light Sheffield and gets these kind of reviews from Letterboxd reviewers?

A: Tickets for Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant can be bought from www.soifilmfestival.com

Scroll to the end for more reviews. If these don’t whet your appetite then we don’t know what will.

Spirit of Independence is proudly sponsored by strange_vice

08/09/2026

Our Rising Spirit short film collection is screening at midday on Saturday 26th September as part of Spirit of Independence at The Light Sheffield.

These are innovative short films created by up-and-coming filmmakers that amuse, challenge or provoke.

Featuring work by , Lisa Rustage, Rebecca Shoptow, James Farrell, , anastasiya ador and Anna Dobos

Spirit of Independence is proudly sponsored by strange_vice

07/09/2026

Spirit of Independence is a festival dedicated to showcasing the very best in cult and independent cinema from across the world. We take place at the Light Cinema Sheffield on the 25th - 27th September 2026. For more information visit www.soifilmfestival.com. Tickets start from just £6.

Here is our trailer.

07/09/2026

Our short film collections showcase the work of up and coming filmmakers from across the region, country and globe. We have 5 collections playing at the festival and Youthful Spirit is the first of those; these screen the work of students from schools, colleges and universities from across the region and give young filmmakers a chance to get their work in front of an audience and on the big screen. This builds their confidence and ambition, as well as motivating them to develop their skills.

Scroll to see the films and institutions we are supporting and consider buying a ticket for Youthful Spirit at 10.30am@on Saturday 26th September at The Light Sheffield. Tickets available from www.soifilmfestival.com and shorts collections are only £6 per ticket.

Spirit of Independence is proudly sponsored by strange_vice and Youthful Spirit includes work by University of York, University Centre Grimsby, University of Hull, MetFilm School, Leeds Arts University, Sheffield Hallam University, Wakefield College and 2Weeks2MakeIt winners from South Yorkshire Filmmakers Network

06/09/2026

🎥 Here’s a ticket update for you all, with the festival now just two and a half weeks away. There’s only one full festival pass now remaining, and only two Saturday passes left for sale (this will include a seat for the UK premiere of The Lock In which has otherwise sold out). There are just over 10 passes remaining for opening night and just under 10 passes remaining for Sunday. Individual tickets for all the short film blocks and all the features (except for the Lock In, natch) are still available.

You can pick up your tickets via https://soifilmfestival.eventsolve.com/ Prices start at just £6.

Spirit of Independence is proudly sponsored by strange_vice. 🍿

05/09/2026

Behind the scenes on Fight at the Light. Enjoy this making of video from and, if you haven’t already seen the short film, click the link in our bio to find it on YouTube.

04/09/2026

Something is going down at Light Cinema Sheffield. We've managed to release 5 more day passes for Saturday - which includes the UK premiere of The Lock In - and to celebrate we have teamed up with the Lock In cast and crew to produce a kung-fu short all of our very own.

Tickets will be in high demand from https://soifilmfestival.eventsolve.com/ so advise swift purchasing.

Thanks to the Light Cinema for allowing such madness to happen.

CAST:
The Director: Nathan Geering
The Manager: Drew Sinclair
The Mysterious Usher: Joseph Epworth

FIGHT TEAM
John Archer
Carolyn Dean
Jake Knight
Yusef Mohammed
Leigh Redhead

CREW
Director: Nathan Geering
Producers: Nathan Geering, Dave Holloway
Executive Producer: Ben Wilkinson
Writer: Dave Holloway
Director of Photography: Jack Kelly
2nd Camera/Editor: Dave Holloway
Music: Gary Nichols
Sound: Stephen Windle
EPK: Thomas Poyser
Production Assistant: Megan Holmes

A kung-fu short spin-off to celebrate the UK premiere of The Lock I...

02/09/2026

Thinking of attending Spirit of Independence but not quite sure what’s in store? Here is the breakdown of screenings happening across the weekend (not pictured: our filmmaker round tables, networking events and awards ceremony!).

More information on all features, shorts and special events - as well as tickets - available from www.soifilmfestival.com

Spirit of Independence is proudly sponsored by strange_vice