Read the story of how heptathlete Crystal Palace transformed into The Astonishing CPIFF!
CPIFF
CPIFF 2025 Winning Films can be seen here
Founded by Neill Roy in 2009, Crystal Palace International is RATED 4TH IN THE WORLD on FilmFreeway out of 14,000+ film festivals and No.1 in the UK! Christened by filmmakers as ‘the world’s coolest’ we’ve been told since 2011 by film festival regulars that no-one screens as high a quality of film as CPIFF. This may be why, uniquely, most CPIFF nights sell out.
You can see this quality every night of the festival. Each screening is a one time only opportunity to catch this mix of films carefully curated over the whole year. There are international films, documentaries, shorts, animations, horror/sci-fi, comedy and features. The CPIFF Awards & Comedy Finale, always stars one of the UK’s very best comedians – a night to remember. See what celebs say in the CPIFF video linked below.
Submit with FilmFreeway
Crystal Palace is a BIFA qualifying festival that uniquely sells out most of its nights, submit now!
See why celebrities and filmmakers say we’re the coolest
About CPIFF
Mike Reiss, writer of The Simpsons since it began said:
You run the very best festival we’ve ever been to, and we’ve been to a lot. This is as good as it gets! It’s a very casual setting but there’s nothing casual about how it’s put together and how high the quality of the films are. There’s food and drink everywhere, they filled the house, it’s been A LOT of fun every night. Really top notch.
As well as being lauded as ‘the coolest’, we are also one of the most inclusive festivals. Since our beginning in 2009, we have ensured every screening night has films starring and made by various ethnic groups and include as many LGBTQIA+ films as possible.
CPIFF receives films from across the globe and screens only the very best with fabulous food and drink in awesome venues. We use Everyman’s flagship cinema in Crystal Palace (pictured below) and the incredible West Norwood Picturehouse. A huge thank you to both for supporting CPIFF and independent film. The film quality is remarkable and each night is a social event to remember, a one time opportunity to catch these incredible films. Many attendees say they enjoy CPIFF more than most mainstream Hollywood films. Filmmakers fly in from around the world for fascinating Q&As, and many comment on the higher quality of film at CPIFF. We vigilantly curate each night so each night’s selection is pure quality with an eclectic mix of genres. That’s why, uniquely, most nights sell out in advance. Filmmakers want an audience and the public want to be entertained—CPIFF provides both.
Tom Scurr, producer:
What you’ve created with CPIFF is phenomenal, it’s such an asset to filmmakers. The film industry and festival circuit is like the wild west but you’re so passionate and you care about film – it’s glorious! All filmmakers are grateful to you, thank you!
Phil Dunn, writer/director:
OUTSTANDING festival. This is how you do it. Other festivals take note. Tons of sold out nights, amazing selection of high calibre films and beautiful screenings at gorgeous Everyman Cinemas. Topped off by amazing awards event with food, drinks, desserts, stand-up comedy and hilarious comedy shorts – like really LOL funny!
Cat White, writer/producer/director:
I’m absolutely blown away with what you’ve done. Firstly, a full house—congratulations! I’ve been speaking to everyone here—the films are INCREDIBLE. I honestly think it’s the most incredible curation of film I’ve seen and I’ve done a lot of these festivals.
Volunteering
CPIFF is only made possible each year with the help of its volunteers. Fill out this form if you’d like to get involved.
