Support Us


Established in 1977, the Cambridge Film Festival plays a vital role in the city’s excellent cultural programme and the UK festival calendar. It brings together the people of Cambridge, visitors and international artists in an annual celebration of cinema, which contributes to a wealthier and more vibrant city.

The Cambridge Film Festival is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust, an independent arts charity. Your support makes a difference:

Why support the Cambridge Film Festival?

Every year, we showcase more than 100 films from around the world, from major independent features and documentaries to the work of emerging filmmakers, many of which might not be accessible otherwise. Screenings are complemented by filmmaker Q&As, live music, workshops, industry events, family activities and special events in historic and unusual venues in and around Cambridge.

In addition to delivering an exciting and innovative range of films and events, our film events and educational programme benefit an audience of over 10,000, including thousands of children and young people, and the latter also engage in our film industry training and mentoring activities.

We work hard to give a voice to underrepresented groups in the film industry and increase opportunities for engagement. We support young people embarking on the first steps of careers in the sector. We develop initiatives, both independently and in partnership with schools and higher education centres, to support education across the curriculum and work with community groups and organisations to bring valuable cinematic experiences to deprived wards in the city.

The Cambridge Film Trust is a registered charity. It depends on a range of public grants, business sponsorship and individual donations to deliver its diverse beneficial activities. All our income is reinvested back to achieve our charitable mission of fostering film culture and education for the benefit of the public.

It is increasingly challenging to sustain an independent film festival of our scale and budget in the current climate of decreasing public funding for the arts. 
Grants enable us to cover around 25% of the Festival budget 
40% is made up of earned income through the box office, film submission fees and events. 
We, therefore, rely on the support of businesses, donors, and Friends of the Festival to cover the remaining 35% and make the Festival the best it can be.


Thank you for your support.