Home 2026 - Purbeck Film Festival

WELCOME

16 OCT - 1 NOV 2026

Find out more A Celebration at the Mowlem Une Journée Jacques Tati

With special guests:
Prof. Matthew Beaumont
Dr Matthew Sweet
Rowan Atkinson

Discover more about the comic genius of Jacques Tati at this day long celebration at the Mowlem on Saturday October 17

H is for Hawk

Monday 19th October
St Mary's Church Swanage

Indie hit H is for Hawk with Q&A with director Philippa Lowthorpe Book Now

Our Annual Short
Film Competition Find out more Enjoy discounted tickets to some of our most popular venues at our Autumn Festival Find out more Look for the Explorer symbol in the brochure or click here for more details Friends of the Festival Passes A quote from our patron Sir Mark Rylance to mark our 30 year celebrations: "When we gather inconveniently, inefficiently in groups... to enjoy great stories; when we share a story as a group... how much more fulfilling is it than on our own and how much more powerful for the heart?" Read the full quote here

what's on

Film guide

our story

The Purbeck Film Festival is supported by the BFI and its South West Regional Hub.

30 years of cinema in purbeck

The Purbeck Film Festival was founded in 1996 by a group of cinema enthusiasts working with Purbeck District Council and the Rex Cinema, to mark the centenary of cinema. What began with 21 screenings and an audience of 1,700 has grown into one of the UK’s most cherished rural film festivals.

Today, the Festival presents over 100 films across unique venues from village halls and Durlston Castle to outdoor screenings beneath the stars at Corfe Castle attracting an audience of 8,000 and welcoming distinguished guests including Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Mark Rylance.

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THE PURBECK FILM FESTIVAL’S

TWO SEASONS OF CINEMA

SUMMER SCREENINGS 2026

Cinema Under the Stars!

15th August – 5th September

Each summer, the Purbeck Film Festival holds popular and affordable outdoor cinema screenings in iconic Purbeck locations. Our Cinema Under the Stars series has been running for many years, bringing films to some of the most beautiful settings in Dorset.

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AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2026

16th October – 1st November

Each October, the Purbeck Film Festival brings a diverse programme of films to unique venues across the Isle of Purbeck. From the intimate Rex Cinema in Wareham to Durlston Castle and village halls throughout the region, the Autumn Festival is a celebration of cinema in all its forms. This year is extra special as we’re celebrating 30 years since the Festival began in 1996.

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LATEST

NEWS AND REVIEWS

NATURE DOCUMENTARIES

From a French forest to a Macedonian rubbish tip, three remarkable documentaries about land, wildlife and belonging.

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Could you be our next Honorary Secretary?

Purbeck Film Festival is looking for a volunteer Honorary Secretary to join our board and help support the governance of the festival.

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FOCUS FRANÇAIS

French films are riding high in this year’s festival, take a look at those screening near you.

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FILM REVIEW: LABYRINTH (1986)

Justina Reynolds takes you through her experience of watching Labyrinth at The Blue Pool – a perfect place to host an outdoor cinema fantasy film, because it feels like a place taken out of one.

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FILM REVIEW: PADDINGTON 2

Justina Reynolds brings her review of the outdoor screening of Paddington 2

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FILM REVIEW: DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

Maddie Clifford’s review of The Devil Wear’s Prada 2 confirms that is more than watching a film when you are outside, under the stars.

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FILM AND FOOD AT THE FESTIVAL

From village hall suppers to a full two-course dinner, see what screenings come with a meal or a drink built into the evening.

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PREVIEWS, PREMIERES AND ON DAY OF RELEASE FILMS

This year’s festival brings audiences a run of films ahead of their UK release, together with a British premiere, a regional premiere and a screening on its actual day of release.

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GUESTS

Purbeck Film Festival's 30th year brings a run of guests from across the industry, joining audiences for post-screening discussions and Q&As throughout the programme. UNE JOURNÉE JACQUES TATI | ROWAN ATKINSON The festival opens its Jacques Tati celebration...

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GALAS

Purbeck Film Festival marks its 30th anniversary this year with three gala evenings across the festival programme.

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Support the Purbeck Film Festival
The Purbeck Film Festival is a Registered Charity and survives through the support of volunteers, members and patrons – individuals like you. Our supporters play a vital role in supporting the UK’s oldest rural film festival, ensuring the screening of captivating and challenging films throughout Purbeck while backing aspiring filmmakers and local small communities.

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