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Tuesday, 20 October
Big Picture Festival
Film
Back in September, the Big Picture Film Festival returned to Stratford-upon-Avon for its seventh edition, bringing four days of exceptional films, inspiring conversations and creative experiences to venues across the town.
This year’s theme, "Popcorn and Perspectives", celebrated cinema that educates, sparks curiosity and deepens cultural understanding. Curated in support of GO ALL IN, the National Year of Reading campaign, the festival brought page and screen together through feature films, live music, panel discussions, Q&As and workshops. Throughout the festival, we aimed to inspire reading, strengthen literacy, encourage critical thinking and foster greater appreciation of diverse cultures and viewpoints.
We’re proud to say that the feedback from audiences, partners and guests was once again overwhelmingly positive this year, and we look forward to doing it all again next year!
Until then, take a look at our round up of the festival and check out our Big Picture Film Festival 2026 photo gallery!
A memorable Opening Night - The Hands of Jonny!
We opened the festival with a live score event, bringing Robert Wiene’s silent era horror classic The Hands of Orlac (1924) back to life with music from renowned pianist Jonny Best of Northern Silents. The film tells the story of Orlac, a famed pianist who loses his hands in a tragic accident and has a new pair transplanted on – only to discover they once belonged to a murderer! In true spirit of the film, Jonny’s piano performance was absolutely riveting; completely improvised and very likely possessed by the film’s gothic, paranoid narrative! The result was an atmospheric, immersive experience that provided a thrilling start to the festival.
Exploring Literacy, Censorship and Access to Knowledge
This riveting documentary explored the experiences of librarians caught at the centre of book banning campaigns in the United States. We followed the film with a panel discussion, which extended the conversation around censorship, representation, intellectual freedom and the relevance of these issues closer to home. The panel included Manuela Perteghella MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, Prof Ewan Fernie, Chair of Shakespeare Studies at The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, Prof Charlotte Scott, Director of Knowledge at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Emma Ritson, talking on behalf of the National Literacy Trust. Being in Stratford-upon-Avon, the discussion explored Shakespeare’s own encounters with censorship, connecting historical and contemporary perspectives while making a passionate case for the importance of libraries.
Short Film Competition Awards
Our five-star Short Film Competition returned to celebrate filmmaking talent from across the Midlands, with this year's winners joining us for the awards presentation and a special Q&A screening. First Prize went to Clause & Effect by Taylor Simpson, a drama about three half-siblings reunited after their father's death. Second Prize was awarded to The Hero by Oliver Woolridge, a poignant WWI story centred on an impossible choice. Third Prize went to We Dream in Colour by last year's winner Kane Wilson, while documentary filmmaker Mark Ellis received an Honourable Mention for his documentary, Leamington at War.
Young People Bring Books to Life
Meanwhile, over at Stratford Youth Hub, young people took centre stage as Stratford Youth Collective presented their Animated Book Covers strand. Earlier in the year, we set a brief that called for youth collective members to transform their favourite book cover into original short films using animation, stop-motion and mixed-media techniques. The results were absolutely wonderful, with a remarkable variety of films paying tribute to everything from 'Life of Pi' to 'War and Peace'. Emma Ritson from the National Literacy Trust was on hand to judge the entries and award prizes to the winning filmmakers.
Blackboards on the Silver Screen
Education was one of the founding principles behind this year’s theme, with Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom being one of the first films to make the cut – and so, we were able to transport audiences to the remote mountains of Bhutan via the cosy seats of Rother Street Arts House for this warm and uplifting drama. The film offers a wonderfully singular cultural perspective as it follows an aspiring singer from the city, sent to teach in one of the world’s most remote villages. It was a pleasure to share this wonderful film with our audience, who left the screening feeling rather zen and inspired. The film reminds us that anyone can be a teacher and purpose can be found in the most unexpected places.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
We then cranked up the energy with Edgar Wright’s cult classic, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World which brought a lightning rod of energy to the festival. Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels, the screening combined romance, comedy, music and distinctive comic book and video game-inspired visuals and attracted a younger generation of film lovers to the festival.
Platforming Films About Human Rights
Presented in partnership with Stratford Welcome Here, we shone a light on Sudan with the striking coming-of-age story, You Will Die at Twenty, which tells the story of a young man growing up in the shadow of a prophecy about his death. Presented by Leen Elamin, who recommended the film and introduced it at the festival, the film explores ideas of destiny, freedom and self-discovery while also raising awareness of the “forgotten war” in Sudan and displaced communities. Meanwhile, Stratford Amnesty International, co-presented Hen, which follows the remarkable journey of a chicken which escapes an industrial farm. Quirky, moving and uplifting, György Pálfi’s modern cinematic fable used its unconventional central character to explore migration, survival, motherhood and human rights through non-human eyes.
Promoting Good Mental Health
From Scotland to Stratford, we were delighted to welcome BAFTA-winning filmmaker Duncan Cowles for a sold-out screening of Silent Men, presented with the Wild Wood Connection Project as part of its 'Social Saturdays' initiative. The film’s candid and often humorous exploration of masculinity and emotional openness was followed by an engaging Q&A with Duncan. The event attracted 'Social Saturdays’ biggest audience yet. Duncan said: "It was a pleasure to attend and great to see such a good turn out. I had a great time in Stratford, even if it was brief, I felt very welcome and everybody I spoke to and met was lovely. I hope to return one day." Meanwhile elsewhere at the festival, Brook Arts Hub hosted a sold-out screening of The Happy Film, charting designer Stefan Sagmeister’s quest for happiness.
Two Birds of a Feather
This special double bill brought together two very different films through a shared theme - birds as symbols of freedom, escape and belonging. We opened this strand with an abridged version of disabled artist Corinne’s The Severed Wing, in which Corrine imagines themself transforming into a bird, escaping their confinement and exploring possibility beyond the limits of disability, Corinne provided a heartfelt pre-recorded introduction to the film and we are proud to continue making space in our programme to make disability more visible, represented and celebrated on screen. This was followed with Ken Loach’s much-loved Kes which tells the story of the relationship between a young boy and his kestrel.
“Shakespeare’s Sistas”
Presented in partnership with Feminist Film Club, based in Stoke on Trent, Blue Jean transported audiences back to 1988 for a story set within the discriminatory era of Section 28. This powerful drama follows a teacher forced to hide her sexuality in an increasingly hostile climate. Following the film, we enjoyed a post film discussion led by Blythe Taylor. Here, the audience shared personal memories and reflected on the film's themes, and talked about identity, visibility and belonging. Inspired by the premise of Feminist Film Club, the audience were keen to launch a Stratford based group, with “Shakespeare’s Sistas” being suggested as a likely name! More shall be revealed anon!
Going Off Grid On Screen
Sponsored by Octopus Energy, we closed the festival with the documentary Power Station, which followed a couple as they attempted to take their London street off the grid. The film has inspired communities all over the country with it’s funny, candid and uplifting story of community-led activism. A lively panel discussion followed, exploring sustainability, collective action and the possibilities for positive change. Facilitated by Janet Palmer at Net Zero Stratford, the panel included Andy Martyr-Icke of National Grid, Stephen Norrie of Stratford Climate Action and Sarah Mills of Let's Go Zero.
A huge thank you to everyone who visited and helped make the festival such a success, including all the filmmakers, panellists, partners, venues, volunteers and sponsors - and of course - our wonderful supporters, who made it all possible, Stratford Town Trust and Stratford District Council.
The GO ALL IN campaign continues to offer opportunities for individuals, communities and organisations to get involved and help inspire a love of reading until the end of the year.
Finally, scroll through our quotes carousel below for a flavour of what people have said this year, check out our photos from the festival and follow the festival on Instagram!
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