Lights, camera, Blackburn! New Film Festival joins National Festival of Making

The National Festival of Making is set to return to Blackburn next weekend with a blockbuster line-up – including a brand-new Film Festival.

Once again, the festival programme is absolutely packed with things to see and do – from the hugely popular making workshops and art commissions to outdoor performances, music, street markets and more.

And joining the long list of favourites for 2026 is a new star-studded film programme featuring everything from exciting premieres to special guest appearances, public auditions and even the chance to visit the world’s smallest moving picture house, powered by solar.

Joining the line-up is Blackburn-born filmmaker Michael Winterbottom – one of the country’s most prolific contemporary directors – alongside Johnny Vegas, Graham Duff, Elaine Constantine, The Bashford Twins, Shabaz Ali and Aeman Ali Afzal.

They’ll be sharing their own fascinating stories of working in the film industry and insights on the projects they’re developing while exploring what Lancashire would need to become a centre for film and television production.

The talks are part of an impressive programme developed by Jamie Holman, artist and board director for the festival, with support from Blackburn with Darwen Council and the University of Lancashire.

Jamie said: ‘’Making has always been about more than objects; it’s about ideas, stories and people.

‘’The National Festival of Making’s cinema programme brings internationally recognised filmmakers together with emerging talent and local communities because the stories rooted in our places deserve to be seen, heard and celebrated.

‘’We tell these stories, because our stories matter.’

A full rundown of what’s on over the festival weekend, including the film festival programme, is available at www.festivalofmaking.co.uk

Film Festival highlights include open auditions for local people to appear in Cotton Kings – a major new feature film from Blackburn-founded production company Eleven Eleven Pictures and award-winning directors the Bashford Twins. Inspired by East Lancashire’s football casual culture, the film explores life, ambition and identity in 1980s Blackburn, with a brand-new trailer set to be unveiled at the festival.

Local filmmaker Aeman Ali Afzal, founder of Indie Crib, will also join social media creator, broadcaster and author Shabaz Ali (Shabaz Says) for a conversation exploring how filmmakers and creators can build audiences, create opportunities and take control of their own success in the digital age.

And, linking to the World Cup, festival-goers can enjoy a screening of Mera Lyari, an uplifting football drama following two young women determined to pursue their dreams through football despite the social, cultural and familial barriers that stand in their way. This will be followed by a special Q&A with director Abu Aleeha, who is travelling from Islamabad to Blackburn, and details of his next film project linking Pakistan and East Lancashire.

And there’s a screening of Rave Culture – A New Era too, exploring the region’s role in the rise of rave culture, and the first public presentation of We Are Alloys, a major new commission from acclaimed artist and filmmaker Hetain Patel.

The programme also features new work from rising Manchester filmmaker Alina Akbar and artist, baker and entrepreneur Abigail Hampsey, whose latest commission explores traditions of making and preservation through film, sculpture and painting.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and a passionate supporter of the Festival of Making, said: ‘’Every year, the Festival of Making team blows us away with what they bring to Blackburn, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and showcasing the very best of our borough on a national stage.

‘’Once again, the programme for 2026 is packed with incredible things to see and do – almost everything for free – and the new Film Festival is a fantastic addition which we’re proud to support.

‘’From premieres and special guest appearances to talks and even the chance to audition for a film inspired by Blackburn, it’s a brilliant opportunity for people to immerse themselves in the world of film.

‘’The Festival of Making really is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when we celebrate our heritage while looking to the future. It continues to push boundaries, challenge expectations and strengthen Blackburn’s reputation as a place of creativity, innovation and ambition.

‘’We already have strong links to the film industry too – after all, Mitchell & Kenyon were pioneers and even made the world’s first Western right here in Blackburn.

‘’This new Film Festival builds on that legacy while opening up conversations about the role filmmaking could play in our future, creating new opportunities for our borough and for our residents and Lancashire as a whole.’’

The National Festival of Making will take place across Blackburn town centre on Saturday July 4 and Sunday, July 5.

It’s free to attend and brings together artists, manufacturers, communities and audiences from across the UK in a celebration of making in all its forms.