Cinema & Film Events in Bristol

Bristol has a stunning selection of cinemas and film festivals, which is part of the reason that the city was awarded UNESCO City of Film status in 2017.

There are film festivals focusing on a variety of genres for you to attend throughout the year, from the Slapstick Comedy Festival in February through to short film and animation extravaganza Encounters in September. The Wildscreen Film Festival also takes place biennially in October, celebrating natural world storytelling on screen in a global hub city of natural history film and TV production. Bristol Film Festival screens popular films in iconic locations around the city throughout the year.

Bristol Film Festival hosts a variety of weird and wonderful screenings at unusual venues across the city, ranging from wine cellars to spooky caves - we even have films being shown in St Mary Redcliffe Church!

If you're after something a little more conventional, you can check out Bristol's array of popular cinemas. On the Harbourside, you’ll find Watershed, a cultural centre which features an independent cinema with a reputation for screening the very best new films and hosting unmissable events. 

The Cube Cinema in Kingsdown and The Orpheus by Scott Cinemas in Henleaze are two of Bristol’s other independent cinemas. As well as screening the latest films, The Cube also offers an interesting events programme including theatre, comedy, and music.

Of course, we also have a few traditional multiplexes where you can enjoy the latest blockbusters. The local Odeon Cinema is located on Union Street in Broadmead, and you’ll find extra choice outside the city centre at Everyman, Showcase, and Vue.