Special Events Line Up

Sir Stephen Frears – A Director’s Tribute 

Inaugural recipient of the CIFF Director Tribute is Sir Stephen Frears, who we welcome to the film festival on 23 September. The Tribute includes a retrospective of Stephen’s work, an in conversation with broadcaster/journalist, Matthew Sweet, followed by an award ceremony to recognise the director’s contribution to the legacy of great cinema with films like My Beautiful Launderette, Dangerous Liaisons, Dirty Pretty Things, Philomena, The Queen and many more.   

Ken Loach – UK premiere of his final film 

Ken Loach joins us at the festival on 18 September for the UK premiere of his latest and possibly farewell film, The Old Oak. Ken’s social ideals have long featured in his films from Cathy Come Home (1966) and Poor Cow (1967) to The Old Oak. Two of his films The Wind That Shakes The Barley and I, Daniel Blake both received the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival. One of nine directors to win the award twice.   

Boiling Point – premiere of the new BBC television drama 

CIFF launches a new television strand in 2023. First up, on 22 September, is a preview screening – episode one – of the new BBC Television Drama Series, Boiling Point. Joining us for the event are the creators of Boiling Point, Bart Ruspoli and Hester Ruoff, who will be joined on stage by Ray Panthaki and members of the cast.  They will share the tale of Boiling Point’s journey from film short, to feature film, to BBC Television series, coming this Autumn, and take an audience Q&A.  

Opening and Closing Night Film   

The opening night film on 15 September is Typist Artist Pirate King, from BAFTA-nominatd director, Carol Morley, and producer, Cairo Cannon, both of whom are coming to Cheltenham with one of the film’s stars Monica Dolan also lined up.   

The Miracle Club with an all-star cast of Dame Maggie Smith, Laura Linney, Kathy Bates and Stephen Rea closes the film festival on 24 September, with director, Thaddeus O’Sullivan as our guest, plus others to be confirmed.   

Meet the filmmakers and other guests  

Popular actor, Timothy Spall, comes to Cheltenham on 16 September for the screening of his latest film,  Bolan’s Shoes.  Fans of Timothy and lovers of Marc Bolan and T. Rex music will love this film.     

Amusia – BEST FILM nominee 

The film festival is delighted to welcome from Italy, on 21 September, Marescotti Ruspoli with his first feature film, Amusia, short-listed for BEST FILM. Marescotti will take an audience Q&A live from Cineworld in Cheltenham and will be joined, virtually, by cast members legendary French actress, Fanny Ardant, and Carlotta Gamba.      

Director Matt Winn and producer, Sarah Sulick come to Cheltenham for the UK premiere of The Trouble With Jessica starring Rufus Sewell and Olivia Williams.   

Also joining us live in Cheltenham for a meet the filmmaker is director, Babak Jalali, with his film Fremont, nominated at Sundance Film Festival and Karlovy Vary for Best Film and winner of Audience Award at prestigious SXSW festival in Austin.   

Under The Stars 

The film festival moves some of its programme to under the stars.  Cheltenham Cricket Club, with bar and street food on hand, hosts the festival’s screening of Mama Mia! in an all singing (and dancing) event co-produced with Alfresco Films on 21 September.  On 20 September, Deya Brewery, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, is the venue for Guy Richie’s classic gangster film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels to mark 25 years since its premiere.    

Others events are being planned, announcements shortly.