LSFF is a place where young hearts run free. A festival where you can discover fresh perspectives, meet new humans and see the very best in short-form cinema.
Going to the cinema or engaging with culture in London can feel increasingly out of reach for young people. But across the city, cinemas, arts venues and community spaces are quietly doing brilliant work to keep film, culture and creativity accessible for under-25s.
From free memberships and £4 cinema tickets to paid creative programmes and industry opportunities, many of LSFF 2026's host venues offer affordable tickets and tailored memberships to young people.
BFI Southbank | BFI Southbank offers one of the most generous schemes around. Young people aged 16–25 can access cinema tickets for just £4, alongside special events and opportunities to connect with the film industry. It’s a standout option for anyone serious about film culture.
Curzon Soho | Under-25s can sign up for a completely free membership, unlocking tickets from £7 off-peak and £10 at peak times, discounts on Curzon Home Cinema rentals, and 10% off food and drink.
Rich Mix (Shoreditch) | Offers a free MIXER membership for 16–25s, providing discounted cinema tickets and live events, members-only previews, food and drink discounts, and deals with local businesses.
ICA (The Mall) | Under 26 membership costs £30 per year and includes free entry to all exhibitions, 50% off tickets for films and events, priority booking, members-only events, and discounts in the bar and bookshop.
The Lexi Cinema (Kensal Rise) | At The Lexi Cinema, under-26s can join for £19 a year and receive a free cinema ticket, £2 off all tickets for a year, bar discounts, priority booking, and even a three-month MUBI subscription.
Rio Cinema (Dalston) | The Rio Cinema’s student concession membership (£40) includes four free tickets, £3 off member tickets, no booking fees, bar and café discounts, and a popular “bring a friend for free” offer on Wednesdays.
This year's programme has a focus on youthful stories: Am I Still Young? Can I Dream A Few Months More is a collection of teenage dreams and hard truths that show what it is to be young in an ever-shifting world; the silent image of a woman projects femme identity through TikToks and digital collusions, tracing queer and oral histories; A CoreCore Mixtape takes us on an absurd, chaotic and strangely beautiful journey via internet detritus; and if you're not okay too - Emo Tapes profiles the emo subculture that emerged online in early 2000s.
Explore the full LSFF 2026 programme on our website.
