The Northampton Film Festival (NFF), known for championing “rebels and revolutionaries, misfits and mavericks, creatives and changemakers,” will return in 2027 following a triumphant fifth edition. Running from 28 February to 8 March 2026, the festival showcased 80 films across five venues, highlighting both emerging voices and established talent. Festival director Becky Carrier praised the breadth of storytelling, noting that 50 films advanced to the awards final.
Celebrating Creativity and Diversity
The awards ceremony, held at the Royal & Derngate on 8 March, honored filmmakers from across the UK, with a strong representation from Northamptonshire.
- Helen Tither, director of The Corinthians: We Were The Champions, said the festival lived up to its promise of celebrating rebels and changemakers. Winning the prize, she added, “means such a lot to us with such tough competition.”
- Steff Lee, from Kettering, won the Best of Northants animation prize for Of All The Things. She described the victory as “extra special” because it came from her home county.
- The Girl and the Chair by Core Creates in Corby also took home honors, underscoring the festival’s diverse range of talent.
A Festival Powered by Young Voices
The event was supported by 40 young people from the Young Programmers scheme, ensuring the festival reflected the creativity and ambition of Northamptonshire’s next generation.
Carrier emphasized that the fifth anniversary was a milestone:
“We really put our all into NFF 2026 to celebrate our fifth birthday and we were absolutely met by the same energy from filmmakers.”
She confirmed that planning for NFF 2027 is already underway, with a focus on building on the positivity, diversity, and quality of this year’s films.
A Growing Cultural Landmark
The Northampton Film Festival has become a cultural fixture, offering a platform for bold storytelling and fresh perspectives. With its mix of local pride and national reach, the festival continues to cement Northamptonshire’s reputation as a hub of creativity.
