BFI Young Programmers' Festival 2026
Running Date: 18 - 22 Feb 2026
Five days of double bills, planned and put together by 30 talented 16–19 year olds from this year’s BFI Film Academy Specialist Residential: Programming.
Five Days, Five Double Bills
Common People - Wed 18
Indulge yourself in two decades of youthful excess and step onto the floor, with the dancehall-drama Babymother (15) and nostalgia-inducing Northern Soul (15).
Babymother is followed with a pre-recorded Q&A from Writer/Director Julian Henriques.
Bloodlines/Motherhood - Thu 19
Two provocative stories about the pressure of parental expectations, ending in explosions of violence in Carrie (15) and We Need to Talk About Kevin (15).
The short film 'Dancing with my Mother' screens ahead of We Need to Talk about Kevin. Enjoy a 'colour barcode' game after the screening of Carrie.
AI through Female Eyes - Fri 20
What do expectations of beauty mean in the AI age, with the built-in bias of AI models and the churn of ‘slop’ content? Ex Machina (15) and I’m Your Man (15) may provide some clues.
This double-bill includes a half-time AI quiz with dystopian Sci-Fi prizes and post-film discussion with Dr Maria Luisa Davila Garcia
To Be Loved is To Be Celebrated - Sat 21
Explore relationships in black media, through two unapologetically joyful breakout features by black, women directors. Love & Basketball (12A) and Rye Lane (15).
The short film 'The Sink' screens ahead of Rye Lane.
Fame is a Gun - Sun 22
Two features of unhinged women in old-time America, driven to madness and murder by the desire to be a star. Roll out the red carpet for Sunset Boulevard (12A) and Pearl (15).
Professor Angelos Koutsourakis introduces Sunset Boulevard. Dress up as classy as you like for this red carpet screening!
Discover more opportunities for young people to break into the film sector.