Penistone Film Festival 2025

Our first-year event! 18th & 19th October

A two-day celebration of the origins of the motion picture industry. With silent cinema, live music, vintage glamour, theatrical performances, immersive actors, and visual storytelling – all hosted here at the historic Penistone Paramount theatre.

From Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd & Clara Bow to modern stunt demonstrations, contemporary organ concert, and TikTok viral reels, this is a festival that bridges the past and present – inviting a new generation to engage with art through film, music, comedy, stunts, and creativity.


Ticket Options:

🎟️ VIP All-Access Weekend Pass (Only 60 available): ** SOLD OUT **
£50.65 Standard | £30.65 Concession | Free for Carers
Includes: • Early entry from 9am (both days) • VIP seat reservation using your headrest cover and lanyard • Access to all events* *Under 15s * (and anyone who chooses to) will step out during block 2 filmmaker screenings as per unlicensed film age guidelines. • Exclusive VIP gift bag

A VIP All-Access Weekend Pass is the only way to reserve your seat for the 2-day event – all other tickets have unallocated seating.


🎟️ Saturday Day Pass (limited to 60):
£35.65 Standard | £20.65 Concession | Free for Carers
• Doors open at 9:30am • Unreserved seating • Access to all Saturday events


NB: separate tickets are also available for the individual sections on the Saturday:
🎟️ Buster Keaton Section - Saturday, 10am to 1:30pm:
£13.65 Standard | £7.65 Concession | Free For Carers
• Unreserved seating

🎟️ Harold Lloyd Section - Saturday, 1:30pm to 5pm:
£11.65 Standard | £6.65 Concession | Free For Carers
*Under 15s * (and anyone who chooses to) will step out during block 2 filmmaker screenings as per unlicensed film age guidelines.
• Unreserved seating

- 🎟️ Sensory-Friendly Screenings Section - Saturday, 5pm to 8pm:
£8.65 Standard | £5.65 Concession | Free For Carers
• Unreserved seating

- 🎟️ Clara Bow "It-Girl" Section - Saturday, 8pm to 10pm:
£10.65 Standard | £6.65 Concession | Registered Carers Free
• Unreserved seating


🎟️ Sunday Day Pass (limited capacity):
£25.65 Standard | £15.65 Concession | Free for Carers
• Doors open at 9:30am • Unreserved seating • Access to all Sunday Film Festival events
Note: Sunday is one full-day ticket and will not be split into individual sessions. Festival Ends at 3:00pm


About The Festival:

Saturday 18th October – Full Day Programme:

Feel free to dress as a character or in vintage-inspired costume – prizes for best costumes will be awarded randomly throughout the day!

• 10:00am – Buster Keaton’s The Cameraman Live piano by Andy Quin (Boardwalk Empire, Victoria & Abdul, Better Call Saul)

• Special Presentation Talk by the International Buster Keaton Society: The Hidden Language of Silent Film

• Harold Lloyd’s Bumping Into Broadway
With pre-recorded improvised organ accompaniment by Tom Horton

•⁠ ⁠Followed by Fools Talk Theatre presenting
“Against the Clock!” – a “Hooray for Harold Lloyd” story (live stage performance – suggested 12A guidance)

⁠• Then the Filmmaker Showcase (Suggested 15+), a curated 50-minute selection of international short films.
- This darker-themed section explores subjects such as grief, loss, and mental health, with implied violence. Guests are welcome to step out at any time if they prefer. Under-15s will not be admitted to this screening and will instead be directed to the alternative heritage event in line with licensing guidance.
-An alternative heritage talk will run at the same time for younger guests and families: “Laikin’ to Livelihoods – Penistone’s Link to the Home of Football”, taking place in the marquee and inside St John’s Church.

• Sensory-Friendly Screenings
Three surreal Charley Bowers shorts with pre-recorded organ scores by Tom Horton Plus an educational talk from Matthew Ross at The Lost Laugh

• Local History Connection Discover Penistone’s link to Sheffield and the birth of modern football (Hint: check the historic graves just across the road)

• All-Day Attractions Art stalls, food vendors, vintage photo booth (prints included), costume competitions, immersive actors. Keep an eye out for our uninvited little tramp and his nemesis – a very strict ex-Keystone Cop security guard…

• Filmmaker Screenings Watch selected entries from our silent film competition throughout the day

• Evening Feature: Clara Bow in IT With live music by Andy Quin. The film that inspired a Taylor Swift song – and a MIGHTY musical finale to Saturday!


Sunday 19th October – Golden Age of Hollywood Awards Day:

Dress to impress in your best Art Deco-inspired 1920s outfit – we’ll be awarding surprise prizes throughout the day!

• Roaming Performer A vintage stilt walker adds some elevated elegance to the atmosphere

• 10:00am – Opening Performance
Live flapper girls Charleston dance to open the day

•⁠ ⁠Matt Walters aka @Reductio – A Cinematic Organ Concert.
We’re thrilled to present a specially filmed performance created just for Penistone Film Festival by young organist Matt Walters, Organ Scholar at Downside Abbey, he’s become an online sensation with his modern twists playing his traditional instrument.

Immersive visuals, with organ music as Matt transitions through the decades. Ending with a, not-to-be-missed contemporary organ mix!It’ll feel like he’s right there in the room. Young and young-at-heart alike won’t believe their ears…!

•⁠ ⁠Meet the Judges & Filmmakers
Hear from our panel, winning filmmakers, and members of the British Stunt Register. Also a message from Buster Keatons Great granddaughter in LA for one lucky filmmaker.

•⁠ ⁠HOLLYWOOD Stunt Demo by BSR Performers
From equestrian stunt-work and martial arts to screen combat – up close and in action. (No horses inside – we checked!) Find out what it takes to be a stunt artist.

•⁠ ⁠Filmmaker Showcase & Awards Ceremony
Celebrate the winners of our silent-style short film competition winners screening and presentation.

•⁠ ⁠Closing Talk
We hand over to the Penistone Cinema Organ Trust for a fascinating insight into the history and legacy of the mighty Compton organ.

•⁠ 3pm - ⁠Event Close