The Cambridge Film Trust
The Cambridge Film Trust is a registered UK charity committed to broadening access to cinema, nurturing new talent, and empowering communities through the transformative power of film. Based in Cambridge and active across the Eastern region, we deliver inclusive, year-round film programmes that reach over 10,000 people annually.
Our Mission
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with great cinema, not just as audiences, but as creators, critics, and collaborators. Our mission is to:
Promote access and inclusivity in film culture
We work to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can experience, enjoy and engage with the transformative power of film.
Nurture young and emerging talent
Through hands-on training, mentoring and real-world opportunities, we empower the next generation of creatives to thrive in the film industry.
Support mental health and wellbeing through creativity
Our inclusive arts-based programmes offer safe, supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, express themselves and feel a sense of belonging.
Champion underrepresented voices on and off screen
We prioritise diverse stories and storytellers, creating platforms for voices often overlooked in mainstream film culture.
The Cambridge Film Festival
Our flagship event, the Cambridge Film Festival (CFF), is one of the UK’s longest-running and most celebrated film festivals. Held each autumn, the Festival presents a rich mix of independent, international, and archive cinema - from bold new voices to rediscovered classics. The Festival also offers opportunities for young people to engage directly in programming, volunteering, and industry-facing events like our Industry Day.
Education & Youth Development
We run a comprehensive educational programme that supports over 500 young people aged 16–24 each year, particularly those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds. All our youth activities are free to participants. Key programmes include:
Youth Lab
A youth-led development programme focused on film criticism, programming, and personal development.
Industry Day
A full-day event of panels and workshops for aspiring creatives.
First Steps
Internships and volunteering that offer hands-on experience in film and event production.
CFF Reel Voices
Mentoring for emerging film journalists, delivered in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University.
Film Reviewers
A flexible, online-based programme accessible to those facing mobility or access barriers.
Community Outreach & Inclusion
We work with local councils, schools, charities, and grassroots organisations to bring film into community spaces. From free screenings in North Cambridge neighbourhoods like Abbey and King’s Hedges, to co-designed events with partners like The Kite Trust and Women’s Aid, we ensure that everyone can access cultural experiences. We also deliver the Family Film Festival during school holidays – offering free screenings and hands-on creative workshops for children and families.
Accessibility & Wellbeing
Film is not just entertainment; it’s a vehicle for wellbeing, confidence, and connection. Our programmes are designed to reduce isolation and help participants feel seen, heard, and supported. We are committed to making our activities as accessible as possible, with inclusive practices embedded into all aspects of our work. This includes:
British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation
Where possible, we offer BSL interpretation to make events and screenings more accessible for d/Deaf audiences.
Descriptive subtitles and audio description
We provide descriptive subtitles and audio description to support those who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired.
Relaxed screenings tailored for neurodivergent audiences
Our relaxed screenings create a welcoming environment with adjusted lighting and sound for neurodivergent audiences and those with sensory sensitivities.
Subsidised travel and food for young participants
We remove financial barriers by covering transport and meal costs so that all young people can take part in our programmes.
Free or low-cost tickets for all youth and outreach activities
We ensure our events are accessible by offering free or affordable tickets to young people and community partners.
Our Team
The Cambridge Film Trust is led by a small, dedicated team of professionals and supported by a Board of Trustees with expertise in film, education, and community development. We value collaboration, diversity, and inclusion in all we do. Our leadership and delivery team includes representatives from a broad range of lived experiences and backgrounds, including 50% from non-White British backgrounds, LGBTQ+ identities, and neurodivergent individuals.
Meet the Team
Support Our Work
As an independent charity, CFT relies on a combination of public grants, business sponsorships, and individual donations to deliver its diverse activities. Approximately 25% of the festival budget is covered by grants, 40% comes from earned income through box office sales and events, and the remaining 35% is supported by businesses, donors, and Friends of the Festival.
Become a Friend or Patron
Support the festival through our Friends and Patrons Circle programmes, gaining access to exclusive benefits while contributing to the vitality of independent cinema. Become a Friend.
Corporate Partnerships
Businesses can partner with us to support the festival and align with a respected cultural event that reaches diverse audiences. Partner With Us.
Internships and Volunteering
Each year, we recruit interns and volunteers to help produce our programme of films and events, providing hands-on experience in festival operations. Internships & Volunteering
Spread the Word
Share our work with friends, family and networks to help us reach more people and amplify underrepresented voices in film.