Following a standout debut in October 2025, with VIP tickets sold out and audiences and filmmakers travelling from the UK, USA and across Europe, Penistone Film Festival returns in 2026 to the historic Penistone Paramount, one of the UK’s few original cinemas still operating since 1914.

Penistone Film Festival is an international film festival dedicated to visual storytelling, inspired by the power of silent cinema and reimagined for modern filmmakers. We champion bold, creative work that tells stories through image, movement and emotion.

Penistone Film Festival is now listed on IMDb as a recognised film event.

IMDb Event Page:
https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0074763/?ref_=ev_all_8691

Our 2026 judging panel brings together acclaimed talent from film, television, music and sport:

Adam Sigal
Award winning director of Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose, filmed in Yorkshire
Judging Best Picture

David Arquette
Internationally recognised actor and producer from a multi generational Hollywood family
Judging the Buster Award

Ruby Barker
Star of Bridgerton
Judging Best Overall Student Film

Andy Quin
Renowned composer and silent film accompanist
Judging the Music Award

The British Stunt Register - BSR
The benchmark professional body for stunt performers in the UK film and television industry.
Judging Art In Action Award

Tony Currie
Football legend and Sheffield United icon
Judging the Sporting Stories Award

We welcome submissions from filmmakers worldwide, alongside a dedicated FREE Student Filmmaker category for eligible students, including those living within 20 miles of Penistone.

The festival combines international film screenings, live music, heritage, sport and community, creating a unique platform that connects emerging talent with global audiences.

Penistone Film Festival is more than a film festival. It is part of a growing cultural movement helping to put Penistone and Barnsley on the map as a destination for film, creativity and storytelling.

The next edition takes place in October 2026.

Awards & Prizes

Each year, Penistone Film Festival celebrates filmmakers who excel in the art of visual storytelling.

Our competition recognises creativity, movement, and imagination across live action, animation, and music, inspired by the spirit of the silent era. There are no strict rules requiring zero dialogue, however judging places real emphasis on how effectively a story is told with as few spoken words as possible.

Festival Awards and Categories

Best Picture
Judged by Adam Sigal, director of Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose
Awarded to the standout film of the festival. A bold, original and visually driven production demonstrating excellence in storytelling, direction and cinematic impact.

The Buster Award
Judged by David Arquette on behalf of the International Buster Keaton Society
Inspired by the legacy of Buster Keaton, this award celebrates films that embrace visual wit, timing and inventive storytelling through non dialogue or minimal dialogue filmmaking.

Art in Action
Officially judged by the Committee of the British Stunt Register (BSR) – the benchmark professional body for stunt performers in the UK film and television industry.
Celebrating films driven by movement, performance, stunt work and physical storytelling, where the narrative is carried through what the audience sees.

Sporting Stories
Judged by Tony Currie
Rooted in Penistone’s connection to Sheffield, the recognised home of football, this category celebrates the powerful link between sport and storytelling. From grassroots to global, it recognises how sport and creativity intersect, an often overlooked relationship that deserves to be seen on screen.

Student Filmmaker Award
Judged by Ruby Barker
A dedicated FREE category for emerging filmmakers and students, including those living within 20 miles of Penistone. Recognising originality, creativity and the next generation of storytellers.

Music Award
Judged by Andy Quin
Recognising outstanding original music, composition and sound design that enhances visual storytelling and elevates the cinematic experience.

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Selected films will be screened on the big screen at the historic Penistone Paramount Cinema, established in 1914.

Winners receive official Penistone Film Festival trophies, certificates and laurels.

Every frame tells a story.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:

Open to filmmakers worldwide. Entries must be the original work of the applicant(s). Films may be submitted by individuals, collectives, schools, or production teams.

Submission Format:
All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway with a working screener link. Films should be complete and ready for exhibition.

Running Time:
Short films only: up to 18 minutes maximum (including credits).
(This mirrors the approximate length of a single 35mm film reel from the early days of cinema.)

Language:
If the film includes dialogue, English subtitles must be provided.

Silent, non-dialogue, & visually driven films are encouraged across all categories.

Age Rating:
The festival encourages films suitable for a PG audience.
Submissions containing offensive, discriminatory, or gratuitous material will not be accepted.

We aim to provide an inclusive, welcoming festival experience for all ages.

Student Entries:

A dedicated FREE Student Filmmaker category (using code RubyB) for eligible students, including those living within 20 miles of Penistone.

Categories:
Films will be considered within the categories selected by the entrant, but the festival reserves the right to reassign a film to a more appropriate category if necessary.

Selection & Notification:
All films are reviewed by our programming panel. Official selections will be announced via FilmFreeway and our social channels. Only selected films will be screened at the festival.

Screening & Promotion:
By submitting, you grant Penistone Film Festival permission to use short excerpts, stills, and promotional material for marketing and press purposes. Copyright remains with the filmmaker.

Attendance:
Attendance at the festival is not mandatory, but filmmakers are warmly encouraged to join us for screenings, networking, and awards in out historic town home to the Penistone Paramount Cinema.

Judging:
The jury's decision is final. All categories are judged on creativity, originality, and strength of visual storytelling.

Entry Fees:
Submission fees are non-refundable. Fee waivers are only available to local students within the defined area.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Damien Blackshaw

    I attended Penistone Film Festival with my short film in competition. The theatre itself is lovely, the 1914 original having been lovingly restored and updates. Also the town itself is a real gem and well-worth exploring.

    November 2025
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  • Ainsley Cannon

    Brilliant festival. Incredibly supportive. Highly recommend

    November 2025
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  • Mario Gregoriou

    I was honoured to be a finalist at Penistone's inaugural fest, and to get to experience such a wonderful, welcoming and event-packed festival, that has a real love and passion for film, storytelling and inspiring others to create.

    And I want to give a big shout out to the organiser, Jennifer Bulcock for putting together such a cinematic feast with so many facets along with the films, like: the flapper dancers, Hollywood stunt team demonstrations, music focused screenings and some beautiful cinematic organ interpretations of modern songs - all creating together that vibe of wonder when cinema 1st arrived …. and also for being such a brilliant host, and being so welcoming.

    It was an amazing immersive experience and I loved how the whole event embodied and brought to life the spirit of the magic of motion pictures.

    It’s also a really important event for the community and beyond, giving opportunity and inspiration for people to create, share and connect - and just really helping to nurture storytelling. I believe these are events than can really help and make a difference to us both individually and collectively.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Jouni Hynynen

    Thankyou Penistone! What an experience. Just the right place to have a film festival. Exciting surroundings, traditional movie theatre and lovely people. And the Compton organs... if you think you have seen them all I can assure you haven´t before you experience a silent film with live music played by Comptons. Good program. Wonderful discussions with all, especially with other film makers. Must go again type event.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • dat shredboi

    An absolutely amazing festival! Was an honour to have been selected, can't wait to see what the future brings.

    October 2025
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