What's On / Bristol Concerts, Theatre & Dance / cinema

Cinema & Independent Film in Bristol

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Bristol's Cinema Scene

Headfirst aims to cover all the events that make this city special and so we’re really pleased that this also includes cinema. We consider the The Cube cinema an essential asset to Bristol, a venue with ethics and enthusiasm to match its innovative programming. Over the past few years we have seen this volunteer driven ‘microplex’ provide a launchpad for emerging Bristol artists, ranging from filmmakers and performance artists to theatres shows and alternative musicians. Less experimental but equally as prolific, The Watershed hosts discussions and independent film festivals alongside its world cinema programming.

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What our editors say

“OLUKEMI LIJADU: 'FEEDBACK' Spike Island presents Feedback (31 January–10 May 2026), the largest solo exhibition by Nigerian-British artist, filmmaker and DJ Olukemi Lijadu. Developed through extensive research in Chicago, Lagos and Bristol, Feedback centres around a major film commission and marks a landmark in the artist’s moving image practice.”
From: Spotlight Tours: Phillip Lai 'RAIN / RUIN' and Olukemi Lijadu 'Feedback'

“A city walk up Brandon Hill, followed by a screening of Hunt for the Wilderpeople (rated 12A) with our pals at Bristol Queer Cinema Club. 2 miles, about 1 hour walking time. You need a ticket - book a place at https://www.queerhikingbristol.co.uk/hikes/cinema-club Follow QHB on social media: https://www.instagram.com/queerhikingbristol https://www.facebook.com/groups/queer hiking bristol”
From: Queer Hiking Bristol: Walk & film screening with Bristol Queer Cinema Club

“This month features poetry film by Bristol Refugee Arts Collective (BRAC). BRAC is currently 14 refugee artists from 12 countries. Five artists from BRAC took part in the Poetry Film project which is supported by Lyra Festival. The Poetry Film Club features carefully selected films, guest artists, and relaxed, guided conversations. It’s a welcoming space for filmmakers, poets, students, academics, and anyone curious about creative storytelling.”
From: Poetry Film Club

“This ground-breaking documentary, originally made in 1983 for Channel 4 at the height of the war in Ireland, provided a critical counter-narrative to the pro-British propaganda spouted by most of the mainstream media in this country. Rarely seen, Ireland: The Silent Voices (80 mins), focuses on the stories and perspectives of ordinary people actively or passively involved in the conflict. In three parts, the film analyses the representation of the conflict on TV in Britain and in Europe. It argues that in Britain, Irish politics is presented in a way that is closer to the fiction of film narrative and thus denies rationality, making the acts of individuals seem a-political and a-historical.”
From: Ireland: The Silent Voices

“8th annual Bristol Radical History Festival; free event with history talks, films, history walks, performance, & exhibitions. There will also be space devoted to stalls, where you can stock up on history pamphlets, books and more, from over 30 publishers and distributors. The main part of the festival is held over two days at two venues: Saturday 25th April at Bristol’s social history museum on the city’s historic harbourside, M Shed; and, Sunday 26th April at the volunteer-run arts centre and cinema the Cube Microplex. This year’s event has four main themes: Propaganda, Utopias, Welsh Risings and the 1926 General Strike.”
From: Bristol Radical History Festival