Advanced Television

First look at WFTV Festival 2026 line up

February 17, 2026

Women in Film and Television UK (WFTV) today announces the must see line up for the WFTV Festival 2026, a unique event dedicated to showcasing the incredible work of women in the industry. An event for members, by members of WFTV, this year’s festival has more screenings, discussions, and networking opportunities than before. The WFTV Festival 2026 is supported by Belfast Harbour Studios in Belfast, MBS Equipment Co in Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester and Eastbrook Studios in London.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the WFTV Festival will return with a reception on Thursday, 5th March at the Garden Cinema in London with the festival schedule kicking off from Friday, 6th March, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The festival will then travel across the UK, with additional events planned in Manchester on Tuesday, 10th March, then Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow on Wednesday, 11th March. This unique event will shine a spotlight on the remarkable creativity of WFTV members, offering them the opportunity to showcase their projects on the big screen.

Tickets for the festival are on sale now.

Screenings & Q&As

Wuthering Heights – A bold and original imagining of one of the greatest love stories of all time, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, whose forbidden passion for one another turns from romantic to intoxicating in an epic tale of lust, love and madness. With an introduction from WFTV Award winner, Sound Supervisor, Nina Hartstone.

Pillion – Produced by WFTV member Emma Norton and introduced by one of the stars of the film, Actor Lesley Sharp and Casting Director, Kathleen Crawford, Pillion sees a directionless man swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.

100 Nights of Hero – When a charming house guest arrives at a remote castle, the delicate dynamic between a neglectful husband, his innocent bride Cherry, and their devoted maid Hero, is thrown into chaos. 100 Nights of Hero will be introduced by Producer Helen Simmons. 

My Father’s Shadow – Followed by an insightful Q&A with Producer, Rachel Dargavel, My Father’s Shadow follows two young brothers as they explore Lagos with their estranged father during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, witnessing both the city’s magnitude and their father’s daily struggles as political unrest threatens their journey home.

Dragonfly – An award-winning independent film, Dragonfly follows neglected pensioner Elsie as she finds an unexpected ally in her younger neighbour Colleen. Over time, a friendship grows but Elsie’s resentful, guilt-ridden son stirs up tensions, bringing shocking consequences. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with WFTV Fearless Leadership Programme alumni and Director of Photography Vanessa Whyte and Producer Marie-Elena Dyche.

The Corinthians: We Were the Champions – An exclusive London premiere with introduction from Director Helen Tither, The Corinthians: We Were the Champions is a revealing documentary looking at the story pioneering 1950s team, Manchester Corinthians Ladies FC as they defied a 50-year FA ban to become global football champions.

The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed – Five women come together for the first time on camera to reveal their experiences of being deceived into intimate relationships with undercover police officers as part of ‘the Spycops scandal”. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with WFTV member and Director, Lucy Wilcox and Producer Kelly Nobay, hosted by WFTV CEO, Katie Bailiff.

Blue Has No Borders – Introduced by Producer Nikki Parrott and Director, Jessi Gutch, Blue Has No Boarders follows a young filmmaker determined to know her neighbours in the port town of Folkestone. But in the aftermath of Brexit, building new relationships isn’t easy.

How Tanita Tikaram Became a Liar – A 2025 “anti-documentary” directed by Tanita Tikaram’s wife, Natacha Horn, offering a raw, personal, and political portrait of the singer-songwriter. It explores her life as a brown, queer woman in the UK, echoing themes from her album LIAR (Love Isn’t A Right), which critiques a culture that rewards dishonesty. The screening will kick off with a video introduction from the filmmaker herself and subject of the film, Tanita Tikarama.

Short Film Programme

The Pearl Comb – Academy Award nominated short film set in 1893, The Pearl Comb follows an endearing Cornish fisherman’s wife who captures the attention of a medical profession as the first person to ever cure someone of Tuberculosis. A doctor is sent to investigate her miraculous claim, hell bent on proving a woman’s place is in the home and not practicing medicine… only to discover the source of her unearthly power.

Nostalgie – This BAFTA nominated short follows Drew Lord Haig, a washed-up ’80s one-hit-wonder turned IT entrepreneur who is stunned when a Belfast battalion invites him to perform at their centenary celebration. Flattered and intrigued, Drew accepts, hoping to relive his glory days and recapture his youth. But what began as nostalgic curiosity ends in moral reckoning. His music, once his escape, now binds him to a history he never meant to write.

Ovary-Acting – BAFTA nominated Best Short Animation film, Ovary-Acting follows a thirty-something woman who while stuck at her sister’s baby shower is forced to decide whether she wants to have kids or not after unexpectedly giving birth to her reproductive organs.

Panel Discussions

WFTV Festival in London: Beyond the Short: From Short Films to First Features

Join host and film festival consultant Wendy Mitchell alongside Producer Helen Simmons (100 Nights of Hero) and short filmmaker Sara Harrack as they share their insights and experiences into how filmmakers can build upon the success of their short films and navigate the early stages of a debut feature.

WFTV Festival in Cardiff: Producing Drama in Wales with Bad Wolf and Screen Alliance Wales

This panel will bring together Jane Tranter CBE, Allison Dowzell OBE, Emma Obank and Kate Crowther as they discuss Bad Wolf’s upcoming slate, share advice on building a sustainable production base in Wales, developing and retaining talent and the training opportunities available. Following the panel there will be a chance to network with the panellists over coffee and pastries.

WFTV Festival in Manchester: Leading on Talent: The Future of TV Drama in the North 

This panel will bring together Executive Producer, Quay Street Productions, Davina Earl, Head of Development, Warp Films, Siobhan Morgan and Producer, Diva Rodriguez to discuss the changing landscape of high-end TV, storytelling and representing the North on screen. Exploring topics such as developing and retaining regional talent, plus spotlighting opportunities for upcoming female leaders in creative roles in the north.

WFTV Festival in London: Finding the Festival That Fits

Join film festival consultant Wendy Mitchell as she hosts a panel with Berlinale Programme Advisor, Rowan Woods, London Short Film Festival Creative Director and former WFTV mentee, Aleks Dimitrijevic and DDA’s Chief Strategy Officer, Julie La’Bassiere as they explore the festival circuit journey, and unpack how to build a festival strategy that works. They’ll break down smart submission choices,  turning screenings into real momentum and how the best festival for your film might not be the one with the fanciest carpet.

Festival goers can also expect networking brunches, speed networking drop-in sessions and additional industry discussions such as Meet the Producers: Secrets to High-End TV success with major streaming platform producers Emma Burge (Down Cemetery Road) and Jo Johnson (Adolescence) and Eliza Mellor (Rivals). WFTV CEO, Katie Bailiff will also be joined by filmmaker, AI enthusiast and WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab alumni, Afia Nkruma, and Showrunner, co-founder of Metronome Media, Kat Gellein Viken to discuss Shaping the Future of Film & TV: AI and Gender Inclusion, exploring the gender gap, copyright, ownership and protecting IP in the face of new innovative technologies.

The WFTV Festival is exclusively open to WFTV members, making this the perfect time to join the growing community. WFTV (UK) is committed to supporting, empowering, and celebrating women working in film, television, and digital media at every level of the industry. Membership is open for just £100 per annum, granting access to the festival alongside year-round networking events, mentoring schemes, and industry insights.

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