Five Nights of Cinema

29 April – 3 May 2026

The Festival Programme

Five Days of Programming

A carefully curated programme of screenings, workshops, and conversations. Every session is an opportunity to discover something new.

Tuesday, 29 April

18:00 Opening Ceremony & Feature Screening We kick off WFF 2026 with an exclusive feature-length premiere and welcome remarks from our directors.

20:30 Late Night Shorts Programme A selection of the festival's best short films, curated for an evening audience.

Wednesday, 30 April

14:00 Documentary Masterclass Workshop exploring documentary storytelling with an accomplished filmmaker and BFI representative.

16:30 Feature Screening & Q&A A standout feature film followed by a live question-and-answer session with the director.

20:00 International Cinema Night A programme celebrating films from around the world, diverse voices, and cross-cultural storytelling.

Thursday, 1 May

13:00 Student & Young Filmmaker Panel Industry professionals discuss career pathways, funding, and the realities of independent filmmaking.

15:30 Shorts Competition Programme The best short films of WFF 2026 in one unmissable afternoon.

19:00 Genre Spotlight: Experimental Cinema A deep dive into avant-garde and experimental filmmaking, pushing the boundaries of the medium.

Friday, 2 May

14:00 Cinematography & Visual Storytelling Workshop Learn from award-winning cinematographers about lighting, composition, and visual narrative.

17:00 Feature Screening & Director Conversation A remarkable film with an in-depth discussion with its creator about process and inspiration.

20:00 Gala Screening The final feature screening before the awards ceremony, a celebration of the festival's best work.

Saturday, 3 May

19:00 Awards Ceremony We celebrate the winners of WFF 2026 across all 32 categories. Venue TBC.

21:30 Festival Afterparty Join filmmakers, judges, and audiences for a celebration of five days of cinema.

Where We Gather

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

Location

All WFF 2026 screenings, workshops, and panel events take place at the historic Arena Theatre in the heart of Wolverhampton.

Address:
Arena Theatre
Wolverhampton
West Midlands

About the Venue

The Arena Theatre is a state-of-the-art entertainment venue with excellent acoustics, flexible screening spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere for filmmakers and film lovers alike.

Easy parking, accessible facilities, and a full bar and café available throughout the festival.

The Festival Experience

What to Expect

Five days filled with cinema, conversation, and community.

Screenings

Hand-curated programmes across all genres, from features to micro shorts, documentaries to music videos. Multiple sessions each day.

Workshops

Learn from industry professionals across cinematography, screenwriting, documentary craft, and more. Open to all experience levels.

Q&As

Direct conversation with directors, writers, and producers after screenings. Ask questions, share feedback, and connect with filmmakers.

Awards Ceremony

Celebrate the best films of the festival at our gala awards ceremony on Saturday evening. Venue TBC. A proper send-off to five days of cinema.

Book Your Seat

Festival passes and individual session tickets coming soon. Register your interest to be notified first.

Learn More About Tickets