Hundreds attend expanded film festival

Festival co-founders and local filmmakers Arun Kapur and Gurjant Singh said there had been a higher calibre of films entered this year

Hundreds of people attended the fourth Wolverhampton Film Festival that for the first time was spread across five days, organisers said.

It was held at University of Wolverhampton's screen school and expanded in 2025 by using an additional venue at the Arena Theatre.

More than 160 films were submitted, some created by filmmakers with Bafta, BBC and Apple TV links, co-founders and filmmakers Arun Kapur and Gurjant Singh said.

For the first time in the festival's history, it received government funding via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to improve communities and support local businesses.

The festival aims to put Wolverhampton on the map, organisers said

The festival also stages workshops, Q&A's, with award winners selected by a judging panel.

"With a mixture of local, regional as well international films, this year saw an increase of calibre when it comes to the quality... The programme also included filmmakers whom also have created series via Netflix," Mr Kapur said.

"The festival saw an attendance of 500 plus, including filmmakers as well local residents from different community groups."

Mr Kapur said that there were many more people travelling to Wolverhampton, helping support local businesses.

"Planning for their fifth anniversary, Wolverhampton Film Festival is certainly aiming to help put Wolverhampton further on the map and bring people together for the love of film," he said.