Rivers of Film Festival
Main events: 23rd September – 4th October 2025
The Cambridge ‘Rivers of Film’ festival seeks to bring rivers, aquatic ecosystems and their guardians into public view in twelve days of events.
” RIVERS OF FILM is a cracker of a title and a sign under which to gather.”
– Robert Macfarlane
CAMBRIDGE ‘RIVERS OF FILM’ FESTIVAL: Twelve days to celebrate rivers and other water bodies with short and long-form films, talks, walks, workshops and more. Novel partnerships and places, art and documentaries to inspire care, curiosity and action.
The programme includes nine specially commissioned short films made in Summer 2025 to be shown throughout the festival, with a chance to see all of them on 28th September at the Pembroke Auditorium event.
The Rivers of Film festival is commissioned by Cambridge Past, Present & Future as part of the RiverCamCAN Project (Climate Action Through Nature) project, and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The festival is curated by James Murray-White, with support from Water Sensitive Cambridge and event partners.
Each event in the festival is made possible by the hard work and support of many partners and volunteers. With much gratitude for them, river guardians, and the rivers that run through all of us.
Upcoming Events
Screening of Pure, Clean Water
A firm local favourite, Tony Eva’s film PURE, CLEAN WATER follows the story of Hobson’s Brook, an
Screening of Fugolburna
A special screening of FUGOLBURNA: STREAM FREQUENTED BY BIRDS in Hawk Mill Farm, Great Wilbraham, with a
Past Events
Creative workshop: With our wet & scaly hands & feet
Humans relating to rivers, estuaries and water, in Cambridge, the Fens, & beyond. A session looking at
Films & Talks: With our wet & scaly hands & feet
Films and talks focusing on humans’ relationships with rivers, estuaries, and water, in Cambridge, the Fens, &
Screening of Water Is Love: Ripples of Regeneration
WATER IS LOVE: RIPPLES OF REGENERATION is a poignant documentary that delves into the intricate relationship between
Screening of Ocean with co-director Keith Scholey
Join us for a screening of OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH featuring an introduction by co-director Keith Scholey
Screening of Rivers of Light introduced by Pippa Heylings MP
A special screening of RIVERS OF LIGHT in the village of Linton in the company of the
What Matters: A Celebration. Film screening & Family Workshop
What Matters: A Celebration. Launch, film screening and Family Workshop with artist Josh Bilton Engagement and awareness
A Celebration of Water, Creativity & Imagination
Please note: this event has sold out. An evening of poetry, art and film exploring our relationship
Screening of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey
OUR BLUE WORLD will explore humanity’s profound relationship with water and reveal how human agency can help
Following the Flow with Amy-Jane Beer
The walk starts at the Leper Chapel, a circular route across commons and a meadows and more
Screening of Rave On for the Avon
RAVE ON FOR THE AVON (12A) is a feature-length documentary film that follows a local community’s fight to
Festival news
The River CamCAN (Climate Action Through Nature) is a two year project funded by the Community Fund and led by Cambridge Past, Present & Future. The project aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the River Cam, and inspire people to take action to help.
