Short answer: The 26th International Cornwall Film Festival runs 2 to 29 November 2026. The main week is 16 to 22 November at The Poly in Falmouth, with shorts programmes on 18 and 20 November and an industry day on Thursday 19 November. An On Tour strand runs from 7 to 29 with venues still to be announced. Ticket prices are on the festival programme page.
The 26th International Cornwall Film Festival runs through November 2026, with its main week at The Poly in Falmouth from 16 to 22 November. It mixes features, short film programmes, an industry day and screenings on tour around the county. This page covers the dates the festival has published so far.
The festival's own key-dates page gives the whole run as 2 to 29 November 2026. The busiest stretch is the previews week, 16 to 22 November, based at The Poly in Falmouth. The page also lists an "On Tour" strand running from 7 to 29, which takes the festival to venues across Cornwall. It does not say which venues, and says further regional dates are "to be announced shortly", so keep an eye on the programme.
The only venue named in the dates we could read is The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth TR11 3EG. It has 4.7 from 111 Google reviews, and reviewers like the comfortable seats, the gallery and shop, and the volunteers. It is a cinema, theatre, gallery and cafe in one building. The Poly is closed on Mondays and Sundays on its Google listing, and open to 9pm on Wednesday to Saturday, but festival screening times override that. Phone for the box office is 01326 319461.
These short film programmes are listed on the festival's key-dates page, all at The Poly:
Best of the West is the one to pick if you want to see films made in Cornwall and the south west. A shorts programme is a good way in if you are new to festivals, because a mixed bill of several short films gives you a taste of lots of styles in a single sitting.
Pro Days 2026, the festival's film industry focus, is on Thursday 19 November, 9.30am to 5.30pm at The Poly. It is aimed at filmmakers and people working in the industry, with a separate industry pass and a bursary scheme (Industry Day Pass+). The general public can book the screenings without going to the industry sessions.
Public ticket sales are open through the programme page of the festival site, and the festival ran an early mailing-list release on 1 October. The key-dates page does not list ticket prices, so check the Diary and Tickets page before you plan a budget. Special gala screenings are listed on the programme page without dates on the key-dates page.
Falmouth is easy for an evening out in November. Our Falmouth parking guide explains where to leave the car, and the Falmouth in winter guide covers the pubs and cafes that stay open. If the weather turns, the Falmouth rainy day guide has indoor options between screenings. The Falmouth town page has more.
Falmouth's Christmas lights go on later in the month, on Thursday 26 November, so a film week can be followed by the switch-on. See our Falmouth lights switch-on guide for that evening. For the whole month, use our November 2026 what's on page.
The festival says press accreditation closes on 8 November and filmmaker travel support responses are accepted until 15 November. Those matter to filmmakers and press, not to audiences. For audiences, the useful thing is the programme page, which is where screening times, films and ticket prices are confirmed. Venues and times for the On Tour dates are not yet published in what we could read, so check there before travelling outside Falmouth.
This is the question to settle before you buy a ticket. The Poly's own FAQ page says: "We regret that the building is not currently accessible for wheelchair users." It adds that the team is working to improve access. The page does not describe the steps, any lift, accessible toilets or a hearing loop, so we cannot tell you what the barriers are. Ring the box office on 01326 319461 or email info@thepoly.org and ask about your specific screening before you book.
The Poly does offer help with other access needs:
The festival's On Tour venues have not been announced, so we cannot say anything about access there yet. Our Falmouth step-free beaches guide is useful if you want a gentler outing around the festival week.
Yes, with conditions. The Poly's FAQ sets out its rules for all events in the building, and the festival uses The Poly as its main week base:
The key-dates page does not give age ratings for the shorts programmes, and a mixed bill of short films can include strong language or adult themes. We have not seen certificates published for Intermission, Best of the West, Best UK or Fresh, so check each programme page before bringing a child, and look for any family or relaxed screening in the programme.
The daytime shorts slots on Friday 20 November (10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm) fall in school hours, so older teenagers who are film fans are the likelier audience than younger children.
The Poly's FAQ names three closest car parks, and says nothing else on parking. We checked Well Lane Car Park (TR11 3HX), which has 4.0 from 133 Google reviews. Reviewers call it central and convenient but with tight spaces, some on a slope, and one reviewer used it for an evening at The Poly. It is council pay and display. One reviewer says the evening machine price was higher than the council website suggested, so read the machine before you leave the car. For more options, see our Falmouth parking guide.
For a bite before the film, Poly Café and Bar is in the same building, with 4.9 from 12 Google reviews. That is a small number of reviews, so treat it as a friendly sign rather than a verdict. Google lists it open 10am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, 10am to 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 10am to 4pm on Tuesday, and closed Monday and Sunday. One reviewer says you can bring your own food. Festival hours may differ, so check on the day.
The festival runs 2 to 29 November 2026, with the main preview week at The Poly in Falmouth from 16 to 22 November.
Main screenings are at The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth TR11 3EG. An On Tour strand visits other venues across Cornwall, still to be announced.
Prices are not listed on the key-dates page. Check the festival's Diary and Tickets or Programme page.
A film industry focus day on Thursday 19 November 2026, 9.30am to 5.30pm at The Poly, aimed at filmmakers and industry professionals.
Yes. Shorts programmes at The Poly include Intermission on 18 November and Best International, Best UK and Fresh on 20 November.
The Poly's FAQ says the building is not currently accessible for wheelchair users and that it is working to improve access. Call 01326 319461 or email info@thepoly.org before booking.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at The Poly, and 15 or 18 rated films can mean an age check. Age ratings for the shorts programmes are not published on the key-dates page, so check each programme.
The Poly lists three nearby car parks on its FAQ page, including Well Lane, which is council pay and display. Check the machine for evening charges.
Essential carers can get a complimentary ticket with a £1 Poly Fund levy. They are limited per event and must be arranged through the box office.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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