RAI FILM Festival 2025

Celebrating 40 Years of Cinema, Anthropology, and Conversation

BOOK YOUR PASS HERE

Bristol Festival 11 – 15 June
Online Festival 16 June – 16 July
Online Academic Conference 1 – 4 July

We’re thrilled to launch the 40th anniversary edition of the RAI FILM Festival — a landmark celebration of anthropology and documentary film.

Organised by the Royal Anthropological Institute, this year’s festival features over 90 films from 36 countries, spanning observational documentaries, essay films, experimental works, and indigenous media. The final selection has been chosen from over 500 submissions and features a diverse array of films, from full-length feature documentaries to short, impactful pieces. This variety is central to the festival’s strength, offering a vibrant display of creativity, filmmaking craft, and rich anthropological perspectives.

With premieres, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and a unique mix of cinema and academia, the RAI FILM Festival is an intimate and global gathering.

Join us in Bristol this June or online around the globe — we can’t wait to welcome you.

Stay tuned for the full programme announcement on 22 May!

BOOK YOUR PASS HERE