Lights, Camera, Soho: A Brand New Film Festival Has Arrived - and It Means Business
Soho has always had cinema in its bones. From the old Wardour Street cutting rooms to the private screening theatres that once lined its streets, the neighbourhood and the moving image have a long, intertwined history. So it feels entirely right that Soho is now home to its own independent film festival - and one with genuine ambition from the very first frame.
The Soho Film Festival launches its inaugural October edition on 16th October in London, with a mission that is clear and refreshing: to bring the golden age of filmmaking back to Soho. Rooted in the great traditions of British cinema from the 1940s through to the 1970s - strong writing, character-led storytelling, wit, restraint, moral complexity, and an unmistakable sense of place - the festival also celebrates the rich continental and global influences for which Soho has always been known. It is, in short, a festival for people who actually love films.
Running biannually each May and October, the festival is deliberately curated and selective. Every submission is viewed in full and assessed on storytelling, performance, direction, and artistic integrity - no algorithms, no shortcuts. Accepted genres span Comedy, Drama, Romance, Thriller, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, alongside a Short Film category, and the awards are suitably substantial: Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Feature Film, Best Leading and Supporting Performances, Best Film Score, and a coveted Jury Special Mention, among others.
For a first-year festival, the response has already been remarkable. Submissions have arrived from across the globe - from the UK and Ireland to the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, and even the Faroe Islands. That kind of international reach in year one speaks to something genuinely compelling in the festival's proposition.
The jury, too, promises to be worth the wait. Names will be revealed closer to the ceremony, but whispers suggest a panel with deep roots in major Hollywood productions alongside some film-loving voices from the world of international fashion - an intriguing combination that feels very Soho.
The festival's audience is expected to include filmmakers, actors, journalists, and the many Soho locals who, as the organisers put it, are simply in love with film. Which, again, feels exactly right.
Submissions are still open via FilmFreeway. The October screening takes place at an independent cinema, yet to be announced, on 16th October 2026.
Find out more at sohofilmawards.com
