Leeds International Film Festival returns for its landmark 40th anniversary edition this autumn, bringing world-class cinema to venues across the city from October 29 to November 15.
While the festival draws acclaimed feature films and international auteurs from every corner of the globe, this year’s line-up places a huge emphasis on the talent, heritage, and landscapes of West Yorkshire.
From major features directed by celebrated Yorkshire-born filmmakers to grassroots documentaries exploring local subcultures, regional storytelling takes centre stage across the 18-day festival.
Audiences can look forward to everything from gothic horror set on Victorian Yorkshire estates to moving portraits of Leeds-based punk bands, alongside historical docudramas revisiting defining moments in West Yorkshire history.
A major pillar of this year’s programme is the dedicated Yorkshire Short Film Competition, presented in partnership with VERSA Leeds Studios, which spotlights eight standout short films created by emerging regional filmmakers.
Combined with standout feature-length productions and documentaries, here are the 15 films with strong Yorkshire connections screening at LIFF 2026 - visit the website today to find the ideal screenings for you this year and pick up your tickets.
1. Ultimate Thunder (12A)
Directed by Leeds filmmaker Ben G. Brown, this documentary follows Ultimate Thunder - a local punk band made up of musicians with learning disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism. Filmed over three years, it charts their rise on the Leeds music scene while navigating real-world funding cuts, health scares, and personal setbacks. | Ben G Brown Film
2. I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning (15)
Yorkshire-born filmmaker Clio Barnard adapts Keiran Goddard’s novel following five Birmingham school friends growing apart against the UK housing crisis. The drama blends sharp British wit with emotional force to explore working-class economic pressures. | Provided (PR Handout)
3. A Long Winter (15)
Directed by Yorkshire-born filmmaker Andrew Haigh, this 1950s drama follows a family in the snow-peaked Rocky Mountains thrown into turmoil when their mother vanishes in a blizzard. Ebon Moss-Bachrach stars as a father struggling to keep his family together. | The Bureau
4. Mārama (15)
Set in Victorian Yorkshire, director Taratoa Stappard’s gothic horror follows a young Māori woman taking a governess role at Hawkser Manor. Uncovering terrifying visions and buried secrets, she faces a chilling confrontation with colonial history and erased heritage. | Provided (PR Handout)
5. Bollywoof (PG)
This animated family feature revolves around Basil, a Yorkshire dog voiced by David Jonsson, who gets relocated to India with his owner. After getting separated in Mumbai, the nervous pup teams up with a streetwise stray to find his way home. | Provided (PR Handout)
6. Rebellion (12A)
Set in West Yorkshire, directors Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood chronicle the historic struggle of the Bradford 12 in 1981. Using rare archive footage and trial reconstructions, the documentary explores how a local Asian community united against systemic racism. | Provided (PR Handout)