The American comedian Steven Wright wryly observed, ‘You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?’ Those words of surreal wisdom popped into my mind when scanning the number of impressive movies being shown during FilmChelt 2026. The realities of time and finance mean you can’t see everything, so how do you navigate your way through the rich schedule during the ten days of the festival?

As I mentioned in another post, cinema’s exploration of AI is astutely covered with a varied selection of films, including two I’m delighted to introduce: the prescient thriller Colossus – The Forbin Project (1 November) and the charming comedy Brian and Charles (7 November). Ahead of the first offerings on this theme, the chair of BAFTA, Sara Putt, hosts a discussion about the impact of AI technology on movie-making (tickets to the event on 31 October are free). The panel includes director Marc Isaacs and writer Adam Ganz, whose film Synthetic Sincerity immediately follows what is sure to be a very lively debate. In my view, that is the peak film festival experience. Watch a film and also hear from those who were involved in creating it.

There are several special events of that nature, in which a screening is followed by an illuminating  discussion. Canadian writer and director Louis Godbout will answer questions about his thought-provoking film The Parking Spot (1 November). Actor Jeremy Theobald visits the festival to discuss appearing in – and co-producing – Christopher Nolan’s ultra-low-budget first feature Following, released in 1998 (5 November). The Idol reveals the remarkable true story of how Palestinian singer Mohammad Assaf won Arab Idol in 2013. Sir Vincent Fean, who has met the singer, will answer questions following the film (3 November).

Furthermore, well ahead of their arrival in mainstream cinemas, you can see Elsinore, Mike Leigh’s Tender, Loving Care, Violette  – a UK premiere for a film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the director of Amelie – and the movie closing this year’s FilmChelt, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning. I haven’t even mentioned how this year’s festival is screening enduring classics you may never have had the opportunity to see previously on a big screen: The Day The Earth Stood Still, Strangers on a Train and Seconds. You can’t see everything, but you can enjoy making Hub 8 MX and St Luke’s Church Hall your homes from home for ten days.