FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing (2026), directed by Erik Shirai, is a beautifully shot Japanese documentary that offers insight into the world of Sumo Wrestling. Shot digitally, the documentary uses a warm black-and-white monochrome, giving it an old-school Japanese look and feel.

Paper Tiger is no exception. This tense, perfectly measured crime-drama is one of his strongest releases to date. Adam Driver plays Gary Pearl – an imposing yet personable ex-cop who gets his family man brother Irwin Pearl (Miles Teller) mixed up with the Russian mafia. We’re right on the cusp of a post-Soviet world, and Russian crime in New York is thriving.

Prince follows the titular Afghan hound, whose owner is devoted to him. As Jaime (Roberto Suárez), a devoted butler, settles in with the titular dog, greedy relatives scheme to disrupt their peaceful arrangement in a ruthless custody battle. Prince is a feature-length film that explores themes of wealth, greed, and love in a darkly comedic take on domestic life.

Film lovers across the South West are preparing for one of the most vibrant fixtures on the UK cinematic calendar: the 36th edition of the Bath Film Festival. Running from 16 to 25 October, this 10-day celebration of cinema presents a remarkable blend of major autumn festival previews, internationally decorated triumphs, and intriguing UK premieres across the historic city.

The crisp autumn air is descending upon the capital, which can only mean one thing for cinema lovers: the BFI London Film Festival is back for its 70th edition. Running from 7th to 18th October, this year's programme is nothing short of a gargantuan cinematic feast, boasting 251 titles spanning features, shorts, series, and immersive projects from 88 countries.

Preparations are exciting, intense, and a little bit crazy, which I think is part of running an independent film festival! This year is particularly special because we are celebrating the 11th edition of the Open World Toronto Film Festival, taking place September 25–27, 2026, at Kensington Studios in Toronto. After eleven editions, I still get excited when I discover a film or filmmaker who surprises me. That feeling has never disappeared.

Dracula: The Night Around Us is a solid retelling of the source material thanks to the writer/directors extensive knowledge of the IP. The film boasts profoundly unsettling imagery and captures the tone of the source material while offering a fittingly modern reinterpretation.

★★★ Directed by: Matthew Ninaber Written by: Jannah Kitzman, Matthew Ninaber Starring: Kristen Kaster, Storm Steenson Film Review by: William Curzon Hy3na follows a desperate young woman as she falls under the control of a seductive predator, becoming both a pawn in a lethal power dynamic and the prime suspect in a series of brutal murders. As two detectives work tirelessly to track down a serial killer targeting patrons of an online sex worker, they get tangled up in the onl

A Canadian period horror feature directed by Casey Walker, written by Walker, Peter Scott Vicaire and Pascal Trottier and starring Luke Hemsworth, Kevin Durand, Craig Lauzon and Michael Pitt. It is recommended that people do not look up what ''Ithaqua'' means before they view the film, in the interest of avoiding spoilers.

Comic book artist Dan Schaffer makes his directorial debut with this dark expressionist horror feature, Electric Meat.

Harvey Kurtzman, along with his closest family members and colleagues, take us through the history of his illustrations and his publishing career, from the highs of creating MAD Magazine in the 1950’s all the way through to his final days as a lecturer in New York.

Organised by the Port of London Authority, this fantastic initiative is designed to empower, enable, and celebrate emerging creative talent across the region, with a particular focus on young directors based around the Thames Estuary. If you are an aspiring filmmaker looking for a platform to showcase your vision, this competition represents an exceptional opportunity to make your mark on the British film landscape.

Claudia Dzienny is an Australian writer-director and comedian whose work blends character-driven comedy with emotionally grounded storytelling.

View the best movies screening at the 2026 SXSW London Film Festival. A curated list from film critic Chris Olson for UK Film Review.

One Fluid Night (OFN), the queer-led and volunteer-run international LGBTQIA+ film festival, is set to return to the capital for its seventh edition from 7 to 11 April 2026.

Lunar Sway follows Cliff (Noah Parker), a young man living in a desert town called Mooncrest, as he struggles with his sexuality and unexpectedly connects with his estranged birth mother. After learning of his mother’s numerous secrets, he embarks on a wild adventure and a trail of secrets, while also spending time with his love interest, Stew (Douglas Smith). The piece is a coming-of-age story about self-discovery and seeking longing in a world that has treated you harshly y

The 2026 jury winners represent a formidable cross-section of global talent, proving that independent cinema remains the lifeblood of the industry. From high-concept narratives to intimate documentaries, the awards this year highlight a yearning for connection in an increasingly fragmented digital age.

The screenplay for Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film contains numerous storylines. It has the rapport that develops between Cory and Plantman, Cory's working conditions as he works from home on his laptop, the two unlikely collaborators working with a group of greenhouse workers who share Plantman's purpose, Cory receiving advice from his best friend, Fox (Kirk Fox) and the three guys playing detective, tracking down Plantman. There are awkward moments, humorous moment

Black Zombie is a deeply illuminating work about the origin of the zombie and how the concept of a zombie has developed, in popular culture and cinema, since its discovery by Western society in 1927.

Forcefield of Love is a short documentary about the eternal ability of love to transform, surprise and inspire.