Darkroom Festival is a passion over profit venture, created as a reaction to a grossly unfair media landscape.

According to Reclaim The Frame, of the 672 films released in the UK in 2024, only 12% were entirely written and directed by people of a marginalised gender, defined by the charity as those who identify as women (including trans women), non-binary, genderqueer, a-gender, or trans men. And only 7% were films directed by women of colour.

Experimental films and documentaries are a haven for minority filmmakers, artists like Maya Deren and Kenneth Anger have influenced countless filmmakers, and challenged the moral status quo and very language of film itself.

This is why we believe in the power of underground film to encourage artistic exploration, and push boundaries of creative expression. Experimental and documentary film are the rawest form of filmmaking to exist, and have long been at the root of social and political change. These spaces must be protected at all costs, and open to all.

This is why our mission is to provide a platform to showcase video art, experimental films, thought provoking documentaries, and a wide range of unconventional film and audio visual practices. Our goal each year is to curate an unforgettable experience, by creating a dynamic and transformative festival that challenges conventions, sparks innovation, encourages dialogue and engages diverse audiences who may not be familiar with the medium.

Through our festival, we aspire to:

Inspire: We seek to inspire artists and audiences by showcasing visionary video art, experimental films, thought provoking documentaries. By providing a platform for artists to experiment, innovate, and create without boundaries, we aim to enable and inspire the next generation of experimental and documentary filmmakers.

Engage: We foster an inclusive and interactive environment where artists and audiences can engage in meaningful dialogues and thought-provoking immersive experiences. We aim to create a space that encourages exploration, deepens understanding, and cultivates a sense of connection and appreciation among artists and audience.

Celebrate Diversity: We embrace the diverse range of perspectives and voices within experimental cinema, video art, and documentaries. By curating a program that represents a wide array of genres, styles, cultural backgrounds, and artistic approaches, we celebrate the diversity of human expression, experiences and perspectives.

Support Emerging Talent: We are committed to nurturing emerging talent in the realm of experimental film, video art, and documentary. By providing a platform for up-and-coming artists to showcase their work alongside more established and well known artists, and gain recognition for their work, we actively support the growth and development of future film makers and artists in the field of moving image.

Challenge Conventions: We believe that the true power of experimental arts lies in their ability to challenge established norms, blend mediums, and create new artistic languages. By championing works that push the boundaries of artistic expression and visual experimentation, we aim to provoke critical thinking, and encourage those who approach the subject in new ways. (This does not include AI works, please do not submit these)

Through our festival, Darkroom aims to create a vibrant and inclusive space, where the thoughtfully curated programme of experimental films, video art, and documentary experiences sparks new ideas, encourages creative dialogues, and leaves a lasting impact on artists, audiences, and the broader artistic community.

Join us as we embark on an a journey into the hinterland of experimental film, the underground of documentary filmmaking, and the backrooms of the collective unconscious, where the limits of creativity are expanded, the boundaries between dreams and reality are blurred, and new artistic landscapes are discovered.

Come into the Darkroom.