LSFF has always been about more than films on a screen. It’s about where cinema happens, who it’s for, and the communities that gather around it.
LSFF is across London from 23 January - 1 February, filling cinemas, studios, meeting houses and community venues with short films that surprise, unsettle, comfort and linger long after the lights come up.
From raw DIY confessionals to bold, cinematic storytelling, LSFF 2026 celebrates short-form cinema in all its emotional range - personal, political, playful and defiant.
The festival travels beyond traditional cinema walls, partnering with local venues that already serve as hubs for creativity, conversation and collective experience. These screenings invite you to encounter short film in familiar, meaningful spaces - places where people gather, learn, celebrate and reflect together.
All outer borough activity is supported by the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, helping LSFF work closely with communities to create accessible, welcoming events that speak directly to local audiences.
Cinema in Community and Creative Spaces
This year’s programme includes screenings and events in a diverse range of spaces, each chosen for its connection to local cultural life:
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Blinkink (Islington) – a world-class animation studio opening its doors to for a rare chance to experience short film in a working creative environment. Vision On: New UK Animation - 29th Jan, 17.30
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Metroland Cultures (Kilburn) – a vital arts space championing experimentation, collaboration and community-led culture. Wildest Grief - 24th Jan, 15.00 | London Lives - 29th Jan, 19.00
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Toynbee Hall (East London) – a historic centre for social action, learning and community exchange. Trans Sister Seventies! - 27th Jan, 16.00
UCL East Community Cinema – a new community-facing cinema space connecting local audiences with bold ideas and emerging voices through film. Lo-Budget Mayhem - 29th Jan, 19.30
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Newington Green Meeting House – a space rooted in radical history and collective thinking. A Raised Voice, Amplified - 28th Jan, 19.30
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Good Shepherd Studios (Leytonstone) – a grassroots creative hub supporting artists and filmmakers. Paving Paradise - 29th Jan, 19.30
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The Zoroastrian Centre (Harrow) – a unique cultural venue fostering dialogue across generations. Wonders and Disasters: Nature, Architecture, and Colonialism in Central Asia - 30th Jan, 19.30
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Nunhead Community Cinema - a volunteer-run cinema creating inclusive film experiences for its neighbourhood. London Lives - 31st Jan, 19.30
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Social Cinema Bromley – a community-focused initiative bringing people together through shared screenings. British Lives - 30th Jan, 18.30
Sydenham Film Club - a locally rooted film club creating welcoming, communal cinema experiences in South East London. Express Yourself - 29th Jan, 19.00 (Tickets available soon)
The Cinema Museum – a much-loved independent museum and screening space celebrating cinema history while supporting contemporary film culture. So Long to the Valleys, So Long to the Seas - 31st Jan, 19.30
Thank you to all our new venue partners!