This is a hired event

Join us at the Stamford International Film Festival, October 7th 2026.

This ALL ACCESS PASS gains entry to all the events of the festival at a cost of £55.

Please note that pass seating is unreserved for screenings - please contact the box office if you require a reserved seat.

Stamford International Film Festival have carefully curated a day filled with short films from rising filmmakers across the world and insightful talks lead by industry professionals. At SIFF we champion the future of cinema, with films that our not only visually compelling but whose stories resinate with our audience. So dive into a world of bold storytelling and immerse yourself in the magic of the big screen.

Talk 1 - Inclusion in film - Sarah Leigh from Inclusivity

Creating an inclusive film set isn’t just about policy, it’s about building stronger collaborations, better storytelling, and healthier creative environments. This talk explores how filmmakers, crews, and performers can work together with greater respect, communication, and understanding to create spaces where everyone can do their best work. Join us for an open and practical discussion on inclusion in the industry, and how small changes on set can lead to more powerful and authentic filmmaking.

Sarah Leigh is the founder of Inclusivity Films. Sarah is a neurodivergent/disabled, working-class British filmmaker (writer-director) & advocate based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. A passionate advocate for inclusion and authenticity in film, Sarah founded Inclusivity Films, a company that showcases d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent on and off the screen. She was supported in 2022 by Creative UK/BFI, and was a Women in Film & Television UK mentee for 2023. She also co-founded Inclusive Talent, an agency that forefronts underrepresented actors.

Sarah adapted and directed the award-winning screenplay of short film Typical?, which she won a Royal Television Society award in Directing for, and was nominated for the Directors UK / Film the House Best Film Direction award. Typical? has been part of the Official Selection at Oscar & BIFA qualifying festivals.

Talk 2 -The Art of Pitching for Funding - Dustin from Kino

Join us for a practical and honest conversation about the art of pitching your film to major funding bodies. We’ll explore what makes a project stand out in a crowded submissions pile, how to communicate your vision with clarity and confidence, and what funders are really looking for beyond a great idea. Whether you’re developing your first short or preparing a feature application, this talk will offer valuable insight into turning passion into a pitch that gets noticed.

Dustin Curtis Murphy was born and raised in LA and has been living in the UK since 2017. Dustin is a multi-disciplined award-winning shorts, commercials, and narrative feature filmmaker creating work at the crossroads of social impact and commercial crowd-pleasers. Alongside this he is the CEO of Kino Short Film and founder of the BIFA qualifying Kino London Short Film Festival.

Talk 3- From Vision to Screen - Joseph Archer from Silicon Gothic

Join us for an engaging conversation exploring the creative and collaborative relationship between directing and producing in independent filmmaking. From shaping a vision, to navigating the realities of production, this talk will offer insight into how strong partnerships behind the camera help bring film to life. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or already developing projects, this session will open up discussion around the creative process, problem-solving, leadership, and the many moving parts involved in getting a film made.

Joseph is an independent filmmaker based in London and the Midlands, UK. Joseph co-founded Window Zebra Productions in 2019 and headed up its narrative production. He left the company in 2022 in order to set up Silicon Gothic Films, where as co-founder he produces narrative work that highlights environmental damage and social issues in modern British society. 'Snapshot', his directing and producing debut feature, will premiere in 2026, starring Stephen Fry.

His previous work has been showcased at Raindance, Encounters, Aesthetica and Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. He's been awarded film funding from BFI NETWORK, NYFA, GENERA and now works extensively with international co-producers.

Screening 1

We welcome you to come and experience short films from filmmakers across the globe. A carefully curated programme filled with Stamford International Film Festivals finalists. So, sit back and relax as you enjoy the films among some of those filmmakers.

Screening 2

We welcome you to come and experience short films from filmmakers across the globe. A carefully curated programme filled with Stamford International Film Festivals finalists. So, sit back and relax as you enjoy the films among some of those filmmakers.

Screening 3

We welcome you to come and experience short films from filmmakers across the globe. A carefully curated programme filled with Stamford International Film Festivals finalists. So, sit back and relax as you enjoy the films among some of those filmmakers.

BFI Films with Q&A

Join us as we showcase some of British Film Institutes spectacular short films from a number of amazing local filmmakers. This will be followed by a brief discussion and Q&A, lead by Angela Wilson from Rutland & Stamford Radio, with two of the industry rising star filmmaker.

Talk 4: Hollywood in Stamford

Every wondered what it was like on set and how the town got involved in the many spectacular productions filmed over the years. Wonder no more, join us as you find out the answers to all your burning questions.

SIFF Awards Show

Stamford International Film Festival hosts their end of festival awards with an exciting host to be announced soon. Join the actors and filmmakers, surrounded by photographs of local filming, as they take their seat to find out who the winners are and receive their unique awards. This is an opportunity to connect with each other and the filmmakers through celebration and a glass of vino from the bar.