Purbeck Film Festival

30 Years of the Purbeck Film Festival in 2026. The Purbeck Film Festival is the oldest rural film festival in the UK, supported by over 8,500 people annually. All our film events offer more than just a visit to the cinema, we offer a unique cinematic experience with introductions, special guests, a great atmosphere and strong community spirit. Programmes available from The Rex Cinema Wareham, The Mowlem Theatre Swanage, Electric Palace Bridport, Information Centres, libraries, shops, restaurants, art centres and local venues from September or earlier on our website. Look out for our popular season of summer outdoor cinemas throughout August and early September in some of Purbeck's most iconic locations. Tickets can be bought online on our website www.purbeckfilm.com in the run-up to the festival. The Purbeck Film Festival is a registered Charity run almost entirely by volunteers. The number of venues is now over 30 including village halls, pubs, restaurants, hotels, arts centres, castles and importantly The Rex Cinema Wareham, The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage, The Electric Palace Bridport, The Lighthouse Arts Centre Poole and Durlston Castle in Swanage. The aim of the Festival is to bring films to areas of rural Dorset ill served by access to cinemas often in the form of memorable community events such as the outdoor screenings at Corfe Castle, Swanage, Wareham and Studland. It also aims to expand audience choice by screening arthouse, classic, independent and foreign language films in a wide and often quirky range of venues. Purbeck Film Festival also runs an international short film competition which encourages young directors to submit their work to a panel of judges. Currently, the competition receives entries from all over the world. The actor and Rex President Edward Fox has commented ‘You won’t see films like this outside London’, a view perhaps shared by the BFI, who support and endorse the Festival. The Festival audience numbers are growing annually and, with the generous support of Sir Mark Rylance, Sir Sam Mendes, Stephen Woolley, Olivia Hetreed and Andy Paterson, are set to rise even more. The Purbeck Film Festival continues to serve its original and important role and is now a member of the South West BFI Regional Hub which support the promotion of British specialised and independent film.