UNTHINKABLE (3)

Festival start: 01 September 2026      Festival end: 12 October 2026

UNTHINKABLE is a Hull based film festival now in its fourth year. We are a charity that creates unique viewing opportunities for the local audience in partnership with other arts organisations and charities, including Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Independent Cinema. We aim to encourage local filmmaking talent in the region and to provide a platform for films from around the world.

At our heart, we champion originality. We all know that film is considered the seventh art, so in addition to film, we celebrate all the other art forms that film touches upon, including, but not limited to—music, performance, design, and fine art. Keeping up the relationship between the gallery and the cinema. Our festival also coincides with Hull Fair, the largest travelling fair in Europe, providing all our attendees with a feast for their filmmaking senses.

SUBMISSIONS: There is no set genre or requirement for submissions, except that the project must be under 25 minutes. Production value is of absolutely no importance to us, we value simple original ideas that challenge people's opinions and expectations, embracing the absurd, the experimental and the all around wacky. Stories are always an asset, but alway necessary. We encourage filmmakers to submit in the category they feel best represents their film. Unthinkable may consider your film for additional categories if we feel it fits elsewhere.

PATRONS: The festival is honoured to have a selection of local creative experts involved as patrons, including Mark Herman (Director), Vincent Ragan (Actor) and Richie Culver (Artist and Musician). They will assist the judging panel and give performances.

Screenings will take place primarily between 7th - 11 October 2026, with additional festival events before and after.

Please follow our Instagram, @unthinkable.hull and website to receive updates on specific dates, times and locations closer to the Festival!

There will be four prizes for films:

1. Official Winner
2. Most Unthinkable
3. Best from the North
4. Audience Choice

Each winner will receive a custom UNTHINKABLE trophy and a cash prize to help with their next filmmaking endeavour.

1. Your film must be under 25 minutes.

2. Should your film be selected, you may be required to provide a DCP of your film.

3. All entries must contain English subtitles, regardless of the original language.