The Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF), established in 1987, is the largest film festival in England outside of London. Held annually in November, the festival takes place across iconic venues in Leeds, including the historic Hyde Park Picture House and Cottage Road Cinema. LIFF showcases a diverse range of films, from contemporary international cinema to genre-specific gems and experimental shorts.
LIFF’s programming is divided into five main sections:
Supported by Leeds City Council, the festival brings together audiences, filmmakers, and industry professionals to celebrate the art of cinema.
LIFF has been instrumental in premiering films that go on to achieve critical and commercial success. Highlights include Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit, which won the Audience Award for Best Fiction Feature in 2019, and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Shoplifters, featured in 2018 after winning the Palme d’Or. Films like The King’s Speech and The Artist also gained early momentum at LIFF.
LIFF is recognized as an Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films. Winners of the Louis Le Prince International Short Film Competition and the World Animation Award are eligible for Oscar consideration. The festival also hosts a BAFTA-qualifying British Short Film Competition, cementing its status as a vital event for filmmakers aiming for industry accolades.
In 2024, LIFF continued to highlight global cinema with the UK premiere of Carine Tardieu’s The Ties That Bind Us as its opening film and Shô Miyake’s All the Long Nights as its closing feature. The Indian film The Fable, directed by Raam Reddy and starring Manoj Bajpayee, won the Best Film Award in the main international competition, marking a historic first for Indian cinema at the festival.
With over 140 films from 78 countries featured in recent editions, LIFF fosters cultural exchange and dialogue. Its engaging program of workshops, panels, and Q&A sessions enriches the cinematic experience for audiences and filmmakers alike.
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