In its second year, Showroom Cinema’s Sheffield Film Festival (SFF) celebrates the city’s rich film heritage and thriving community cinema culture, with special previews and Q&As for the best new films from around the world.
SFF opens on 1 August with Sheffield on Film, an interactive journey with Yorkshire Film Archive through a century of the Steel City on celluloid. This specially curated feature brings together nine decades of fascinating footage from the vaults, from resilience during wartime to generations of work and play.
The celebrations continue with Sean Bean’s football classic When Saturday Comes — plus an all-star Q&A panel featuring writer-producer James Daly and Sheffield United legend Tony Currie on Saturday 9 August.
Later in the month, BBC Radio Sheffield legend Paulette Edwards visits the festival to discuss the films that shaped her life and career, followed by a hand-picked screening on 31 August.
Alongside the 40th anniversary screening of Threads (22-23 August), the festival closes with the world premiere of Survivors: The Spectre of Threads on 30-31 August. This newly produced documentary uncovers the hidden legacy of the iconic film that haunted a generation.
The Community Cinema strand brings collaborative screenings with brilliant groups building film culture across Sheffield. It starts with a 35mm Mystery Horror Marathon from beloved fright purveyors Celluloid Screams on 2 August and includes contributions from Reel Cult Cinema, Kelham Island Film Club, Film Girls Galore, FFStival, Film Hub North and Sheffield DocFest.
Showroom also marks 30 years of showcasing outstanding independent films. To celebrate, the festival presents a series of previews and Q&As with international directors.
Louise Weard discusses their lo-fi, cult-epic Castration Movie Pt. 1, on 3 August; The Regulars is a quirky, day-in-the-life comedy of staff at London’s Prince Charles Cinema previewing on 7 August; and Showroom screens the BAFTA-nominated Sister Midnight, plus an in-person Q&A with producer Al Clark, on 27 August.
Finally, Family Time screenings deliver crossovers, and cult hits each Saturday morning at 11am. It includes the charming animation My Life as a Courgette on 9 August, a 30th anniversary screening of Babe on 23 August, and inspiring ShAFF Young Adventurers Short Films on 30 August.
Ryan Finnigan, Head of Programming, says: “We’re incredibly proud of this year’s Sheffield Film Festival programme, which showcases the breadth and brilliance of independent cinema — both local and international. From powerful documentaries and thought-provoking features to joyful cult screenings and collaborations, every event celebrates the voices, stories, and creativity that make film such a vital part of our lives and our city.”
Victoria Firth, CEO of Showroom Work Station, says: “As Sheffield’s home for independent cinema for over 30 years, Showroom is proud to play a unique and longstanding role in the city’s cultural life. The Sheffield Film Festival is a celebration of the region’s rich film talent and storytelling legacy, and a brilliant chance to support emerging creativity while connecting audiences through film.”
Tickets and full programme details are available at: https://showroomcinema.org.uk/festivals/sheffield-film-festival
Sheffield Film Festival is kindly sponsored by Triple Point Brewing.
For all enquiries contact: Showroom Work Station’s press team.
E: marketingdept@srws.org.uk T: 0114 279 6511
To arrange press tickets for any of the events, please contact: salli.greaves@srws.org.uk
About Showroom Work Station
Showroom Cinema is one of Europe's largest independent cinemas and is Sheffield's only independently programmed cinema. It is paired with the Work Station, which is the longest-running creative business centre in the city and home to a thriving community of over 60 cultural, creative, and digital companies. All housed in an iconic 1930s' Art Deco building. Showroom Cinema celebrates its 30th birthday in 2025 with a series of special events and festivals throughout the year.
For more information on Showroom Cinema visit: showroomcinema.org.uk
Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX
Bike racks, nearby tram parking, tram and bus access
