BOURNEMOUTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Why Some Films Just Feel Better on a Big Screen In the world of film festivals, the word “programmer” might not sound as glamorous as “director” or “producer,” but it’s the heartbeat of everything an audience sees. Every slot, pairing, and surprise moment is the result of thoughtful, deliberate curation. At BIFF, programming isn’t just about picking “the best” films. It’s about shaping an experience. And as we prepare for our very first edition, we’re making choices that reflect not just taste, but values. We’ve all done it, watched something beautiful on our phones while distracted by another tab. Or streamed a film late at night while half-scrolling Instagram. That’s modern life. But it’s also a reminder of what we lose when we stop watching with intention. Some films simply feel better on a big screen. And it’s not just about visuals. It’s about presence. The Screen Isn’t Just a Surface. It’s a Space. There’s a reason cinematographers still talk about “frame” like it’s a sacred word. The size of the image affects how we relate to a story. A vast landscape or a tight close-up lands differently in a cinema. It pulls you in. It silences everything else. The distractions, the notifications, the self-consciousness gone. That experience changes not just what we see, but how we feel it. “Some films don’t translate to small screens. And that’s not a technical failure. It’s a deliberate intention.” Steve McCarten, Festival Director We want people to come out of a BIFF screening and immediately talk about what they saw, not because it was loud, but because it landed. Curation as a Creative Act It’s Also About Who You’re Watching With The other part of the magic is the crowd. Whether it’s 30 people or 300, something happens when we experience a film together. Laughter lands differently. Stillness feels heavier. Even silence feels charged. It’s a collective emotional contract. A moment where strangers sync up and share something wordlessly. That’s hard to find in most parts of life now. And that’s what we’re bringing back at BIFF. We’re Curating With the Room in Mind Some films belong on the big screen not because they’re big but because they’re delicate. Because they deserve your full attention. Because they risk subtlety. Because they speak slowly and expect you to listen. Those are the kinds of films we’re building our programme around. Some will be bold, others intimate. But all of them are chosen because we believe they give you something you can’t get anywhere else, especially not alone, on your phone, between emails. This festival isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about reclaiming the act of watching as something active. Intentional. Collective. “A great screening isn’t about pixels. It’s about presence.” Steve McCarten So yes, some films do feel better on a big screen. Not because they’re better. But because we are. Buy Your Tickets Today! Submit via CenterFrame All Posts BIFF Judges Commercial Partner Editorial Hospitality Partner News Venue Partner Why Some Films Just Feel Better on a Big Screen July 7, 2025/ Why Some Films Just Feel Better on a Big Screen In the world of film festivals, the word “programmer” might… Read More What the Return of Costa Rica’s Film Festival Tells Us About Resilience and Reinvention July 7, 2025/ What the Return of Costa Rica’s Film Festival Tells Us About Resilience — and Reinvention As the Costa Rica International… Read More Alice D. Cooper Joins BIFF July 2, 2025/ Alice D. Cooper Joins BIFF Senior Film Judge 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Alice D. Cooper to the Bournemouth International Film… Read More Load More End of Content.

What the Return of Costa Rica’s Film Festival Tells Us About Resilience — and Reinvention As the Costa Rica International Film Festival returns after a multi-year pause, there’s a quiet story underneath the headline — one about reinvention, leadership, and why festivals still matter. It’s not just about one country’s cinematic comeback. It’s about what happens when cultural events are treated as ecosystems, not just events. And for us at BIFF, still building our first edition, it’s a timely reminder of what’s at stake. New Leadership, New Era The appointment of María Lourdes Cortés as the festival’s new programming head is more than administrative reshuffling. It’s a statement of intent. Cortés brings decades of experience as a historian, critic, and scholar of Central American cinema — someone with deep roots in the region’s film identity. Why does this matter? Because programming isn’t just about taste. It’s about cultural memory. It’s about choosing what stories get centre stage — and what stories get reclaimed. “When you hand programming to someone who understands both the present and the past, you get more than a lineup. You get a vision.” — Steve McCarten, Festival Director Festivals as Cultural Archives Costa Rica’s return to the festival scene reflects something many of us feel post-pandemic: film events aren’t luxuries — they’re cultural infrastructure. They gather people. They reflect identity. They build bridges. And when those institutions pause or disappear, it’s not just a gap in the calendar. It’s a cultural silence. That’s why BIFF believes in long-term thinking. In building something that doesn’t just “run” once a year, but contributes meaningfully to how people in a place connect with cinema. Relevance Over Hype Costa Rica IFF’s reboot is grounded, not flashy. There’s no celebrity launch. No viral marketing campaign. Just a renewed focus on Latin American filmmaking and the rediscovery of neglected cinematic histories. And maybe that’s the point. At BIFF, we’re inspired by festivals that resist the noise and invest in relevance. The ones that ask: who’s not being heard right now? Whose work needs to be seen more than sold? “The best festivals don’t just premiere the newest film. They protect the ones that would otherwise get lost.” — Steve McCarten Setting the Standard from Year One A Model for BIFF — and a Reminder As we programme our first edition, Costa Rica’s return reminds us that festivals aren’t defined by how big they are — but by how deeply they’re connected to place, history, and people. Leadership matters. Taste matters. But above all, care matters. If BIFF can grow into a space that feels as necessary to Bournemouth as CRFIC is to San José, we’ll know we’re on the right path. Cinema isn’t just about what’s next. It’s about what still deserves to be seen. Buy Your Tickets Today! Submit via CenterFrame All Posts BIFF Judges Editorial Hospitality Partner News Venue Partner Lucy V Hay Joins BIFF June 19, 2025/ Lucy V Hay Joins BIFF Senior Scriptwriting Judge 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Lucy V. Hay to the Bournemouth International… Read More Snorkeling, Stillness, and the Power of Intimate Storytelling June 19, 2025/ Snorkeling, Stillness, and the Power of Intimate Storytelling Sometimes it’s the quiet ones that hit hardest. The first trailer for… Read More Why Bournemouth Needs a Film Festival, And Why Now? June 16, 2025/ Why Bournemouth Needs a Film Festival — And Why Now In the ever-expanding world of film festivals, from the Cannes… Read More Load More End of Content.

Alice D. Cooper Joins BIFF Senior Film Judge 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Alice D. Cooper to the Bournemouth International Film Festival as our Senior Judge – Film! A.D. Cooper is a multi-award-winning British writer and director known for creating bold, emotionally resonant films that explore complex human stories with wit, grit, and originality. With a background in journalism and advertising, Cooper brings a sharp eye for narrative detail and a passion for storytelling across genres—from social drama to psychological horror. She is also an accomplished theatre writer, audio dramatist, and educator – regularly teaching scriptwriting to Masters degree level at London College of Communication (University of the Arts London). Her many short films, including Put Away, Odds, and The Penny Dropped, have received dozens of international awards and selections – recognised for their strong performances, inventive direction, and fearless exploration of timely themes. Her work has been screened at BAFTA-qualifying festivals and broadcast on international platforms. Alice is currently in post with a women’s sport documentary feature for Branded Studios/Hurcheon Films, as well as a darkly comic drama short that she directed and co-produced for Film Expo South.  Instagram Vimeo Linkedin People-arrows Buy Your Tickets Today! Submit via CenterFrame All Posts BIFF Judges Alice D. Cooper Joins BIFF July 2, 2025/ Alice D. Cooper Joins BIFF Senior Film Judge 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Alice D. Cooper to the Bournemouth International Film… Read More Kathryn Carmichael Joins BIFF June 30, 2025/ Kathryn Carmichael Joins BIFF Senior Film Judge 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Kathryn Carmichael to the Bournemouth International Film Festival… Read More Bella Tomlinson Joins BIFF June 27, 2025/ Bella Tomlinson Joins BIFF Senior Animation Judge 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Bella Tomlinson to the Bournemouth International Film Festival… Read More Load More End of Content.