Chester International Film Festival 2025
Chester International Film Festival 2025
21 March — 3 April 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
Storyhouse is a charity. We would not exist without the support of our Members. Join Storyhouse Card for just £4.99 a month and get discounted tickets for Storyhouse*, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre and Moonlight Flicks as well as Priority Booking and 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
USA/Mexico
Preview screening + Opening night drinks reception
Fri 21 March 2025 • 7:30pm
From Hilde, With Love
Germany
Preview screening
Sat 22 March 2025 • 7:30pm
Holy Cow
France
Preview screening
Sun 23 March 2025 • 7:30pm
Solo
Canada
Preview screening
Tue 25 March 2025 • 7:30pm
Last Swim
UK
Fri 28 March 2025 • 8:30pm
Four Mothers
Ireland
Preview screening
Sat 29 March 2025 • 7:30pm
Happyend
Japan
Preview screening
30 March 2025 • 7:30pm
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
Switzerland
Mon 24 March 2025 • 7:30pm
Liverpool Story
UK
with introduction from director Daniel Draper
Tue 25 March 2025 • 5pm
Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story
Ireland
Mon 31 March 2025 • 7:30pm
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
Sat 22 March 2025 • 2pm
One Minute
Short film programme
Sun 23 March 2025 • 2pm
Northern Exposure Short Film Night
Short film programme by Film Hub North
Wed 26 March 2025 • 6pm
Treading Water
UK
Preview screening + Q&A with writer/director Gino Evans
Wed 26 March 2025 • 7:30pm
Artificial Inspiration (Talk)
AI, Culture and Chaos with Jocelyn Burnham
Sat 29 March 2025 • 4pm
Chester Animation Festival 2025
International short film competition
Sun 30 March 2025 • 2pm
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.
PlayTime [1967]
Sat 22 March 2025 • 4:30pm
Real Steel [2011]
Sun 23 March 2025 • 3:15pm
Her [2014]
Fri 28 March 2025 • 6pm
Decision To Leave [2022]
Sun 30 March 2025 • 4:30pm
WHAT’S ON?
Check out the full programme here!