Chester International Film Festival 2025

Welcome to our biggest festival yet!

The Chester International Film Festival (CIFF) returns for two weeks of unmissable world cinema in the heart of Chester. Founded by the Chester Film Society, CIFF25 continues the annual celebration at Storyhouse, showcasing a hand-picked selection of international film previews, locally curated short film programmes, special guest speakers, and unique cinematic adventures.

Chester International Film Festival 2025 is proudly produced in partnership by Chester Film Society, the University of Chester, and Storyhouse. Opening and closing reception with thanks to VAIN.

TICKETS PRICES

Feature Films:
Storyhouse & Chester Film Society Members: £8.90
Non-members: £9.90
Young Storyhouse Card Members: £5

Short Film Programmes & Talks:
Members: £2.70
Non-members: £3

MULTIBUY DISCOUNT

The more you see, the more you save!Get 25% off when you book any two CIFF25 events, or 50% off when you book three or more!

Please note: Membership discounts will be applied before the multibuy offer. Be sure to add ALL tickets to your basket before checkout to claim your full discount.

Find out more about Chester Film Society Membership here: www.chesterfilmsociety.co.uk

Become a Member

Become a Member

Storyhouse is charity. We would not exist without the support of our Members.

Find out more

AUDIENCE AWARD

The following films have been chosen by the Chester Film Society as part of the official selection for this year’s Audience Award. Voting will take place after each screening, and the winner will be announced at the Closing Night Drinks Reception on 3 April.

All screenings will be introduced by a member of Chester Film Society, plus select screenings will be introduced by guest speakers from the University of Chester (to be announced).

Many of the films in this year’s festival are preview screenings and are not yet rated. An age rating of 18+ will be enforced at all events with unrated content.

La Cocina (CIFF25)

La Cocina

USA/Mexico

Preview screening + Opening night drinks reception

Fri 21 March 2025 • 7:30pm

From Hilde, With Love (CIFF25)

From Hilde, With Love

Germany

Preview screening

Sat 22 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Holy Cow (CIFF25)

Holy Cow

France

Preview screening

Sun 23 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Solo (CIFF25)

Solo

Canada

Preview screening

Tue 25 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Last Swim (CIFF25)

Last Swim

Fri 28 March 2025 • 8:30pm

Four Mothers (CIFF25)

Four Mothers

Ireland

Preview screening

Sat 29 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Happyend (CIFF25)

Happyend

Japan

Preview screening

30 March 2025 • 7:30pm

When The Light Breaks (CIFF25)

When The Light Breaks

Iceland

Preview screening + Closing night drinks reception

Thu 3 April 2025 • 7:30pm

DOCUMENTARIES

Four spectacular documentaries/docu-fictions hand-picked as part of this year’s festival.

E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea (CIFF25)

E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea

Switzerland

Mon 24 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Liverpool Story

Liverpool Story

with introduction from director Daniel Draper

Tue 25 March 2025 • 5pm

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story (CIFF25)

Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story

Ireland

Mon 31 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Pavements (CIFF25)

Pavements

USA

Exclusive screening courtesy of Mubi

Wed 2 April 2025 • 8pm

SHORTS, TALKS, & MORE

Alongside this year’s official selection, our two-week festival also includes a number of locally curated short film programmes, talks with industry professionals, and a special season of film presented by the Storyhouse Young Programmers.

Student & Young Person Short Film Programme

Student & Young Person Short Film Programme

Sat 22 March 2025 • 2pm

One Minute (CIFF25)

One Minute

Short film programme

Sun 23 March 2025 • 2pm

Northern Exposure Short Film Night

Northern Exposure Short Film Night

Short film programme by Film Hub North

Wed 26 March 2025 • 6pm

Treading Water + Q&A (CIFF25)

Treading Water

Preview screening + Q&A with writer/director Gino Evans

Wed 26 March 2025 • 7:30pm

Artificial Inspiration

Artificial Inspiration (Talk)

Chester Animation Festival 2025

Chester Animation Festival 2025

International short film competition

Sun 30 March 2025 • 2pm

Black With A Capital B

Short film programme + discussion

Wed 2 April 2025 • 6pm

YOUNG FILM PROGRAMMERS: ELECTRIC HEARTS

The Storyhouse Young Film Programmers are proud to present Electric Hearts, a season of four films exploring the profound ways in which technology intersects with humanity, our relationships to each other and our relationships to the world around us.

Find out more >

PlayTime