Making Waves Film Festival
Portsmouth’s film festival for innovative and inclusive cinema
Making Waves Film Festival is Portsmouth’s annual film festival and short film competition, delivering innovative, accessible and immersive cinema experiences across the city.
Making Waves Film Festival is taking a break in 2026 and will return in 2027
The festival extends the cinema experience beyond traditional venues, combining film with live performance, music, food and participation to reach wider and more diverse audiences.
A festival rooted in place
By presenting film in non‑traditional and community settings, the festival:
- increases access to cultural activity
- animates under‑used spaces
- connects film with local communities
This place‑based approach supports Portsmouth’s ambition to be recognised as a creative and cultural city and Making Waves Film Festival is supporting Portsmouth City Of Culture BID
Our supporters
Our supporters include No.6 Cinema, Guildhall Trust, Solent University, Winchester University, Portsmouth University, Film Hub Southwest, BFI Film Audience Network, and Portsmouth Creates.
Our community partners are Motiv8, Action Asylum, Portsmouth City of Sanctuary and Gosport Community Cinema.
