Brighton Absurd Film Festival

Step into the Surreal — An Online Celebration of Absurd Cinema

Join us for an exclusive 90-minute online screening devoted to the wonderfully illogical world of absurdist short films. Forget heavy dramas and predictable narratives — this event is all about the strange, the surreal, and the joyfully ridiculous.

“Most festivals drown in bleak drama — we champion the absurd. In tough times, people need films that let us laugh at the chaos.”
— Daniel Booroff | Founder

At the Brighton Absurd Film Festival, we are dedicated exclusively to films that embody the spirit of the absurd. Unlike general film festivals, our programme is reserved for works that thrive on illogical situations, existential tension, surreal imagery, and darkly comic undertones. We absolutely do not accept straight dramas — our screen is reserved only for films that challenge convention and embrace absurdism at their core. Whether through existential dramedy, avant-garde experimentation, or surreal dark comedy, every selection reflects our mission: to showcase cinema that unsettles, entertains, and celebrates the beauty of the irrational.

The Brighton Absurd Film Festival celebrates cinema shaped by the spirit of absurdism — not a genre, but a philosophical lens that reveals the tension between humanity’s search for meaning and a universe without it. Drawing on the ideas of Albert Camus and the Theatre of the Absurd, absurdist films blur the boundaries of dark comedy, existential dramedy, surrealism, and avant-garde cinema. They thrive on illogical plots, futile struggles, and characters confronting the ambiguity of existence, often with humor and surreal invention. Our festival exists to showcase these works — films that question, unsettle, and entertain by embracing the absurd.

The festival was launched by Schmetterling Productions Ltd, a Brighton-based creative studio committed to nurturing local talent and championing inclusive, boundary-pushing cinema. Absurdism isn’t a film genre — it’s a philosophical lens drawn from Camus and Theatre of the Absurd, one that explores the tension between humanity’s search for meaning and an indifferent universe. While there’s no official “absurdist” category, films shaped by this philosophy often live in the realm of dark comedy, existential dramedy, surrealism, and avant-garde cinema — rich terrains where illogical plots, meaningless struggles, and comic obscurity collide. We spotlight films that revel in absurdity: stories that unsettle, provoke, and quietly invite us to laugh at the chaotic beauty of life.

🎬 What to Expect

A handpicked selection of short films bursting with surreal imagery, existential comedy, and avant-garde storytelling.

Works from daring filmmakers across the globe, pushing boundaries and bending reality in playful, unforgettable ways.

A live Q&A with selected filmmakers, offering insight into their beautifully chaotic creative process.

✨ Why You’ll Love It

IMDb Qualifying Festival – Your chance to watch films that count toward filmmakers’ IMDb credits.

One-of-a-Kind Focus – The only festival dedicated solely to absurd cinema.

Watch Anywhere – Stream worldwide, connect instantly.

A Joyful Escape – In uncertain times, absurd cinema celebrates nonsense, chaos, and humor at its finest.

This isn’t just a screening — it’s a celebration of the absurd. A cinematic playground where rules are broken, genres collide, and laughter reigns supreme.

It is an IMDb Qualifying festival - making you are sure your film will be professionally credited on the best movie database site.