CineCity is Brighton’s annual film festival and it’s back for its 23rd edition in November. Expect an eclectic programme that’s packed full of world cinema, premieres and previews, live soundtrack cinema, panel Q&As and archive gems.
In a nutshell, there’s always something for every level of film lover. Not surprisingly really as it’s the biggest celebration of cinema in the South, with events taking place across Brighton and Lewes.
One of the juicier additions is A Mixtape for Stom, making its UK premiere as part of the festival. It’s an intimate documentary portrait of Japanese underground filmmaker Stom Sogo, built from archival film, interviews and memory. The Q&A after the screening promises to dig into surveillance, trauma, art and the edges of obsession. attenboroughcentre.com
Then there’s the 36-Hour Film Challenge, a filmmaking gauntlet staged by University of Sussex in collaboration with CineCity. Teams get 36 hours, a prop, a mystery location and a deadline: deliver a four-minute film. The results screen as part of the festival’s public programme — and yes, there’s prize money on the line.
Here’s a few of our picks from the eclectic programme:
Hamnet
This Chloé Zhao adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling historical novel that reimagines Shakespeare’s family is set to bring beautiful visuals and emotional depth right out of the gate.
A Mixtape for Stom
This intimate documentary portrait of brilliant-but-troubled Japanese underground filmmaker Stom Sogo built from archival film, interviews and the director’s memory is making its UK debut as part of the festival.
36-Hour film challenge
This filmmaking gauntlet staged by University of Sussex in collaboration with CineCity gives teams 36 hours, a prop, a mystery location and a deadline: deliver a four-minute film. The results screen as part of the festival’s public programme – and yes, there’s prize money on the line.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
This powerful docu-drama about the hours leading up to the murder of a six-year-old during the Gaza conflict promises to be as heart-wrenching as it is necessary.
Where Was the Film Studio?
This free walk and talk led by cinema historian Frank Gray explores the early film work – and film studio – of film pioneers Bertie and Laura Smith in Brighton. Think local history meets movie lore.
Pillion
This queer romantic comedy tells the story of a suburban life turned upside down when a mild-mannered traffic warden meets a charismatic biker and the community that forms in the fringes.
But CineCity isn’t just about watching films – it’s about experiencing cinema’s textures: preview nights, archival digs, free talks, networking sessions and cross-venue trails, helping reclaim Brighton’s status as a film city, not just a seaside town. The mix keeps it fresh – you might go for Hamnet, but end up staying for a glitchy artist film that makes your neurons reset.
So if you care about seeing stories from beyond Hollywood, or about cinema that surprises and provokes rather than comforts – this is your October destination. Tickets are on sale now.
Thursday 30th October – Sunday 16th November; various venues, times and prices
cine-city.co.uk
