In the vibrant world of UK cinema, 2025 has been another stellar year for film festivals, blending world premieres, indie gems, and immersive experiences across the nation. From the glitz of London’s red carpets to the intimate screenings in regional hubs like Bristol and Manchester, these events draw thousands of filmmakers, audiences, and industry pros. As a leader in portable toilet and welfare unit hire, euroloo has supported countless festival setups over the years – ensuring crew and attendees stay comfortable amid long days of Q&As, panels, and after-parties. Drawing from our experience equipping over 180 creative productions (anonymized from internal client data), we’ve curated this top 20 list based on prestige, attendance, and innovation. Whether you’re a producer scouting talent or an organizer planning logistics, this guide highlights key dates, venues, and practical welfare tips to keep events running smoothly.
Our selections prioritize festivals with international profiles, diverse programming, and strong ties to emerging UK talent – sourced from industry calendars and recent announcements. For each, we’ve included a quick overview plus euroloo’s insider advice on scaling welfare facilities: Think portable toilets for outdoor crowds, honeywagons for VIP lounges, and mobile units for multi-day runs. Remember, UK regulations (HSE guidelines) mandate 1 toilet per 10 attendees for events over 4 hours, so early booking is key for next-day delivery.
Top 20 Highlights
1. BFI London Film Festival
Dates: October 8–19
Venue: Multiple London cinemas (Southbank Centre, Barbican) and around the UK
Highlights: The 69th edition kicks off with the international premiere of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery and closes with 100 Nights of Hero. Expect 300+ films, galas, VR lounges, and industry showcases like LFF Works-in-Progress. It’s a launchpad for Oscars contenders, drawing 250,000+ visitors.
Welfare Tip: For high-footfall galas, opt for luxury portable toilets (e.g., 20+ units with hand sanitizer stations) near red carpets. We’ve equipped similar events with eco-friendly emptying services to handle 1,000+ daily flushes without downtime.
2. Edinburgh International Film Festival
Dates: August 14–20
Venue: Filmhouse Edinburgh and citywide venues
Highlights: Scotland’s premier fest focuses on bold indies and world cinema, with Q&As from stars like those in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. Expect 100+ screenings and a strong emphasis on new voices.
Welfare Tip: Multi-venue setups need modular welfare units (showers + changing areas) for crew traveling between sites. Scale to 1 unit per 50 attendees for all-day comfort.
3. Raindance Film Festival
Dates: June 18–27 (London edition; check for regional dates)
Venue: Vue Cinemas and pop-ups across London
Highlights: The UK’s largest indie fest, qualifying for Oscars, showcases 200+ shorts and features from global newcomers. Networking heaven for producers.
Welfare Tip: For 24/7 pop-ups, hire towable honeywagons with heating for late-night panels. Our clients report 30% fewer delays with pre-booked emptying.
4. Glasgow Film Festival
Dates: February 26–March 9
Venue: Glasgow Film Theatre and city venues
Highlights: Over 150 films, including world premieres and restored classics, with a focus on Scottish talent and free community screenings.
Welfare Tip: Winter events demand insulated portable units; pair with generators for remote outdoor queues serving 5,000+.
5. Encounters Film Festival
Dates: September 24–28
Venue: Watershed, Bristol
Highlights: BAFTA-qualifying for shorts, with 200+ animations and docs; workshops for emerging filmmakers.
Welfare Tip: Creative hubs like Watershed benefit from compact chemical toilets for indoor-outdoor flows—ideal for 500-attendee workshops.
6. Sheffield DocFest
Dates: June 18–23
Venue: Showroom Workstation, Sheffield
Highlights: The world’s leading documentary fest, with 250+ films, masterclasses, and market for docs.
Welfare Tip: Doc crews on tight schedules need quick-access mobile welfare vans; we’ve supported similar with 24-hour servicing.
7. Leeds International Film Festival
Dates: October 30–November 16
Venue: Hyde Park Picture House and citywide, Leeds
Highlights: 200+ international films, retrospectives, and industry forums; known for cult classics.
Welfare Tip: Extended runs call for weekly emptying contracts; add luxury options for VIP industry nights.
8. Manchester Film Festival
Dates: March 14–23
Venue: HOME Manchester
Highlights: Indie-focused with 100+ features and shorts; strong on Northern talent.
Welfare Tip: Urban venues suit stackable portables; calculate 1 per 20 for packed screenings.
9. Belfast Film Festival
Dates: October 30–November 8
Venue: Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast
Highlights: 80+ films celebrating Irish cinema, with talks and youth programs.
Welfare Tip: Cross-border events need compliant units (NI regs align with UK); focus on accessibility features.
10. Bath Film Festival
Dates: October 17–26
Venue: Various Bath cinemas
Highlights: 100+ screenings in a spa-city setting, emphasizing European indies.
Welfare Tip: Outdoor elements? Solar-powered toilets for eco-vibes, handling 300 daily users.
11. Foyle Film Festival
Dates: November 19–30
Venue: Derry~Londonderry
Highlights: Northern Ireland’s top fest with 60+ films and music crossovers.
Welfare Tip: Multi-week? Rotate units to avoid overuse; pair with handwashing stations.
12. Cheltenham International Film Festival
Dates: September 19–28
Venue: Everyman Cheltenham
Highlights: 70+ world premieres, celebrity Q&As, and family strands.
Welfare Tip: Festival town crowds need perimeter portables; we’ve cut setup time by 50% with pre-site surveys.
13. Hebden Bridge Film Festival
Dates: April 6
Venue: Hebden Bridge
Highlights: One-day indie showcase with 20+ shorts in a picturesque Yorkshire setting.
Welfare Tip: Compact events thrive on single honeywagon hires—easy for rural access.
14. British Urban Film Festival
Dates: October 10–24
Venue: Manchester and touring
Highlights: Celebrating Black British cinema with 50+ urban stories.
Welfare Tip: Touring? Mobile units on trailers for seamless venue hops.
15. Folkestone Documentary Festival
Dates: October 22–26
Venue: Folkestone
Highlights: 40+ docs on social issues, with artist talks.
Welfare Tip: Coastal spots demand weatherproof units; add shelters for 200+ attendees.
16. London Korean Film Festival
Dates: November 5–18
Venue: BFI Southbank, London
Highlights: 30+ Korean films, from K-dramas to arthouse.
Welfare Tip: Cultural tie-ins suit themed luxury loos (e.g., branded for sponsors).
17. Manchester Animation Festival
Dates: November 9–13
Venue: HOME Manchester
Highlights: 100+ animated shorts and features; BAFTA qualifier.
Welfare Tip: Family-friendly? Child-sized portables and family welfare pods.
18. Purbeck Film Festival
Dates: October 17–November 2
Venue: Swanage and Dorset coast
Highlights: 80+ films in stunning outdoor/indoor venues.
Welfare Tip: Rural multi-site? GPS-tracked deliveries for efficiency.
19. North East International Film Festival
Dates: October 20–26
Venue: Newcastle upon Tyne
Highlights: 50+ global indies with Northern focus.
Welfare Tip: Indoor-heavy? Integrate with venue HVAC for ventilated units.
20. Clapham International Film Festival
Dates: September 17–26
Venue: Clapham Picturehouse, London
Highlights: 40+ diverse shorts from underrepresented voices.
Welfare Tip: Neighborhood vibe? Street-legal portables for pop-up screenings.
Event Welfare Framework: 5 Steps to Seamless Festival Setups
Planning welfare doesn’t have to be a plot twist – follow this euroloo-backed checklist, refined from 1000+ event hires:
- Assess Scale & Needs: Factor attendance (e.g., 250k for LFF) and duration; use our free calculator for ratios (1 toilet/7 men, 1/5 women).
- Choose Units: Portables for budgets, honeywagons for luxury (hot showers for crew downtime).
- Site Logistics: Pre-survey venues like Watershed for access; opt for next-day delivery to align with festival rushes.
- Sustainability & Compliance: Go eco with waterless options; ensure HSE adherence for fines-free fun.
- Post-Event Strike: Schedule emptying and collection – our teams handle it while you focus on encores.
Ready to equip your 2025 festival? Contact euroloo for a tailored quote – visit our TV, Film & Creative Content sectors page or call today. What’s your must-see event this year?
This guide was curated by euroloo’s creative industries lead, with insights from 2025 industry calendars. Last updated October 10, 2025.
