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.
13. Nowt (15)
Director Milda Baginskaitė presents a dark West Yorkshire drama focusing on the pressures of girlhood. The film follows Bailey, a rebellious teenager who gets led astray by an older man, turning a forbidden romance into a traumatic ordeal. | Provided
14. Five Minute Brides (15)
Filmed in Skipton, North Yorkshire, director Jacqueline Maxted captures a unique local tradition. The documentary follows seamstress Mandy Abramson as she invites local women into her bridal shop for a judgment-free dress-up day, uncovering poignant personal stories. | Provided
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15. Blue Hour (15)
Set across the Yorkshire Moors, director Kate Graham captures an atmospheric coming-of-age story. The film follows a teenager wandering the moors with friends on her final summer afternoon before leaving for university, capturing the bittersweet shift into adulthood. | Kate Graham