Oxford International Film Festival

OXIFF is excited to announce ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’ 5th International Film festival.

OXIFF2020 will take place 14th-17th May 2020.

OXFORD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

OXIFF is designed to be an intimate and eloquent filmmaker festival where film enthusiasts can get first hand insights from directors, writers, actors and producers from the premiering films, a style which blends well with the beautiful city of Oxford. This was certainly the case in 2019 when the festival was able to expand to both the Curzon and The Ultimate Picture Palace, allowing filmmakers and guests the chance to explore the historical city.

In its first four years all the films selected for OXIFF came through open submissions. This is a strict policy that the organisers will continue with for the fourth festival.

"Our experience at the OXIFF could not have been better! Your selection of eclectic films from around the world was superb." Joseph Stillman, Director of Best Documentary Citizen Clark...A Life of Principle.

The Oxford International Film Festival 2019 took place from the 8th – 12th May at The Ultimate Picture Palace and Curzon, Westgate.

OXIFF2019 marked the fourth edition of the festival and screened a selection of films from wide array of genres across feature and short films, documentary films, animations, experimental films and music videos.

Opening night took place at Oxford’s legendary Ultimate Picture Palace with a night of short films. Opening Night Shorts included British film THE SEA, which stars Anna Friel and Russel Tovey, BODIES OF WATER with Boyhood star Ellar Coltrane as a man struggling with a secret, Turkish film FISH CRACKER about a brother and sister dealing with their parents’ breakup and THE GHOST with Emilia Fox.

The festival then moved to the heart of Oxford to the Curzon, Westgate will closed with a screening of documentary SAM SPIEGEL: CONQUERING HOLLYWOOD, about legendary Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel and how he went from escaping Nazi Germany to being the only person to win three Oscars as sole producer of On The Waterfront (1954), Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

Also included in the line-up was the Oscar nominated short documentary LIFEBOAT, feature film CELESTE which stars actress Radha Mitchell, UK feature ABOVE THE CLOUDS, about an 18-year olds quest to find her biological father with the help of a rough sleeper, tennis documentary UNRAVELING ATHENA, which follows female tennis players journey from child to world number one and includes contributions from Serena Williams, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. Also, screening is LOVE GILDA – THE ETERNAL SPIRIT OF GILDA RADNER, about comedienne Gilda Radner and features comedy stars Amy Poehler, Melisa McCarthy, Gene Wilder and more.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at OXIFF this year, exploring the city and engaging in conversations with wonderfully wise and insightful individuals, who have inspired me and collaborated with their knowledge." Benjamin Jacob Smith, Director of Edgar I Am

OXIFF is a sister festival to the highly successful Manchester Film Festival, and OXIFF and MANIFF’s Director of Operations Neil Jeram-Croft said - “this weekend has been amazing; the quality of the films is a credit to the filmmakers and all involved. Huge thanks to the Curzon, The Ultimate Picture Palace and our incredible volunteers who have made this a weekend one to remember, we can't wait to get back next year and make OXIFF2019 even bigger”.

"Thank you to the entire OXIFF crew. I feel extremely honored to receive this recognition for New York city Sketchbook." Willy Hartland, Director of Film of the Festival New York City Sketchbook

"Brilliantly organised and curated with great films, lovely people, and an amazing buzz around the place. And the Picturehouse cinema really made us feel at home. It was a great platform for our film as there had been a lot of hard work put into getting audiences in and press coverage before and during the festival, which so many festivals don't seem to do after the initial scheduling etc. They really made it feel like you were part of a bigger thing, not just a screening and a chat and all the filmmakers mingled and have stayed in touch after the festival. Definitely worth the money!" Matt Butler Director of Two Down

"A joy of a festival: good programming (the shorts in particular were top-notch), very present and engaged organizers, qualified industry judges, friendly atmosphere, good q+as, and ample opportunity to meet and hang out with fellow filmmakers, it's shocking that this festival was only in its first year. In time, as the festival returns to Oxford in subsequent years, its presence in the city will become more established in the city and turnout will expand. As it stands, this fest is 100% worth the entry fee. Try to get there in person, you won't regret it." Nicholas Gray Director of The Paper Store

"Great festival especially for its first year. The quality of the films was high and it was great that so many of the filmmakers were there. The organisers were very friendly and present at the festival. Overall - lots of wonderful people and films!" Miranda Howard Williams Director of Albert