Sama Brighton Film Festival

Brighton is getting a new addition to its cultural calendar this month with the arrival of the Sama Brighton Film Festival. Running from 15 to 19 June 2026, this event marks the UK debut of the Sama International Film Festival, which has been operating in Stockholm for the past 17 years. The timing aligns with Refugee Week, and the festival aims to provide a platform for underrepresented filmmakers, particularly those living in exile. The programme focuses on stories from Afghanistan, Iran, and Kazakhstan, offering a mix of feature films, documentaries, and short films.

What makes this festival interesting is its approach to programming, which goes beyond just screenings. The organisers have included Q&A sessions, music, and debates alongside the films to encourage conversation. One of the specific highlights mentioned for this edition is the screening of the BAFTA-winning documentary My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in Afghanistan, which will be shown at Dukes at Komedia. For those interested in shorter formats, there is also a selection of short films scheduled at Pink Moon.

The festival is spread across several venues in Brighton and Lewes, including Dukes at Komedia, Lewes Depot, The Rose Hill, and Fabrica. According to co-producer Sanjar Qiam, the festival is intended to be a space for engaging with political oppression through the lens of displacement, identity, and empathy. The name itself, 'Sama', comes from a Sufi practice that translates to 'deep listening and attentive presence', which reflects the organisers' intent for the event. If you are planning to attend, you can find specific details regarding the schedule and ticket access at brighton.samaiff.com.