PictureEast Film Festival 2026

Wasteman (2026 - Cal McMau)

PictureEast Film Festival 2026 (PEFF26) returns in Newham and Barking & Dagenham from 20th January - 1st February 2026!

This dynamic programme of feature films, short film showcases and panel discussions will continue our legacy of Curated Community Cinema in Newham, and expand into Barking & Dagenham - championing the stories and cultures embedded in both boroughs and inherent to East London.

The festival will continue with its mission to reignite cinematic culture by exploring the legacies of lost cinemas, touring film studios, discovering local film locations, understanding the connection between art & craft plus nurturing community cohesion through a series of cultural events.

This year’s festival launches in style with a special preview screening of Wasteman, starring Newham native - David Jonsson.

Further highlights include a preview of My Father’s Shadow, Akinola Davies Jr.’s Un Certain Regard–nominated debut, the BIFA-nominated Lollipop, the Barking & Dagenham Local Creatives Showcase, and family-friendly screenings such as international hit Ne Zha 2, South Asian take on Hamlet starring Riz Ahmed, closing with a special and uplifting preview of Palestine Comedy Club.

PEFF26 Screenings

PEFF26 Eventbrite Link
Programme
PEFF26: PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB + LIVE COMEDY (CLOSING NIGHT)
Feb 1
The Boathouse Studios
PEFF26: PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB + LIVE COMEDY (CLOSING NIGHT)
The Boathouse Studios
The Boathouse Studios
PEFF26: TALK (LOST CINEMAS) + DREAMERS + Q&A
Feb 1
The Boathouse Studios
PEFF26: TALK (LOST CINEMAS) + DREAMERS + Q&A
The Boathouse Studios
The Boathouse Studios
PEFF26: MOTHER VERA + PANEL
Feb 1
Women's Museum
PEFF26: MOTHER VERA + PANEL
Women's Museum
Women's Museum
PEFF26: LOCAL CREATIVES SHOWCASE + PANEL + DJ
Jan 31
The Boathouse Studios
PEFF26: LOCAL CREATIVES SHOWCASE + PANEL + DJ
The Boathouse Studios
The Boathouse Studios
PEFF26: SHORTS - UNCOMMON VOICES + Q&A
Jan 31
A House for Artists
PEFF26: SHORTS - UNCOMMON VOICES + Q&A
A House for Artists
A House for Artists
PEFF26: NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE + FAMILY ACTIVITY
Jan 31
Kingsley Hall
PEFF26: NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE + FAMILY ACTIVITY
Kingsley Hall
Kingsley Hall
PEFF26: NE ZHA 2 + ACTIVITY
Jan 31
My Heathway Shop
PEFF26: NE ZHA 2 + ACTIVITY
My Heathway Shop
My Heathway Shop
PEFF26: BLUE HAS NO BORDERS + Q&A
Jan 30
Kingsley Hall
PEFF26: BLUE HAS NO BORDERS + Q&A
Kingsley Hall
Kingsley Hall
PEFF26: YOUNG PROGRAMMERS SHORTS SHOWCASE + NETWORKING + Q&A
Jan 30
The Wilds
PEFF26: YOUNG PROGRAMMERS SHORTS SHOWCASE + NETWORKING + Q&A
The Wilds
The Wilds
PEFF26: FINDING OPTEL + FAMILY ACTIVITY
Jan 30
The Wilds
PEFF26: FINDING OPTEL + FAMILY ACTIVITY
The Wilds
The Wilds
PEFF26: HOMEBOUND + Q&A
Jan 30
Chadwell Health Community Centre
PEFF26: HOMEBOUND + Q&A
Chadwell Health Community Centre
Chadwell Health Community Centre
PEFF26: LOLLIPOP + Q&A
Jan 29
A House For Artists
PEFF26: LOLLIPOP + Q&A
A House For Artists
A House For Artists
PEFF26: MY FATHER’S SHADOW + PANEL
Jan 28
Vue Dagenham
PEFF26: MY FATHER’S SHADOW + PANEL
Vue Dagenham
Vue Dagenham
PEFF26: HAMLET + PANEL
Jan 27
Lumiere Cinema Romford
PEFF26: HAMLET + PANEL
Lumiere Cinema Romford
Lumiere Cinema Romford
PEFF26: I SWEAR + Q&A
Jan 25
Good Hotel
PEFF26: I SWEAR + Q&A
Good Hotel
Good Hotel
PEFF26: THE STAND + Q&A
Jan 25
Good Hotel
PEFF26: THE STAND + Q&A
Good Hotel
Good Hotel
PEFF26: SAVAGES + Q&A
Jan 25
Good Hotel
PEFF26: SAVAGES + Q&A
Good Hotel
Good Hotel
PEFF26: SOULEYMANE’S STORY + Q&A
Jan 24
Good Hotel
PEFF26: SOULEYMANE’S STORY + Q&A
Good Hotel
Good Hotel
PEFF26: URCHIN + Q&A
Jan 24
UCL East Community Cinema
PEFF26: URCHIN + Q&A
UCL East Community Cinema
UCL East Community Cinema
PEFF26: GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE - THE MOVIE
Jan 24
Discover Children's Story Centre
PEFF26: GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE - THE MOVIE
Discover Children's Story Centre
Discover Children's Story Centre
PEFF26: THE BAD GUYS 2 + FAMILY ACTIVITY
Jan 24
Good Hotel
PEFF26: THE BAD GUYS 2 + FAMILY ACTIVITY
Good Hotel
Good Hotel
PEFF26: LONDON BOYS + Q&A
Jan 23
The Source
PEFF26: LONDON BOYS + Q&A
The Source
The Source
PEFF26: HOW TO BUILD A LIBRARY + PANEL
Jan 23
Stratford Library
PEFF26: HOW TO BUILD A LIBRARY + PANEL
Stratford Library
Stratford Library
PEFF26: MARLEE MATLIN - NOT ALONE ANYMORE (SUBTITLED) + Q&A (BSL FRIENDLY)
Jan 22
The Tate Institute
PEFF26: MARLEE MATLIN - NOT ALONE ANYMORE (SUBTITLED) + Q&A (BSL FRIENDLY)
The Tate Institute
The Tate Institute
PEFF26: CREATIVE CONNECTIONS SHORTS SHOWCASE + NETWORKING
Jan 21
UCL East Marshgate
PEFF26: CREATIVE CONNECTIONS SHORTS SHOWCASE + NETWORKING
UCL East Marshgate
UCL East Marshgate
PEFF26: WASTEMAN + PANEL (OPENING NIGHT)
Jan 20
Everyman Stratford International
PEFF26: WASTEMAN + PANEL (OPENING NIGHT)
Everyman Stratford International
Everyman Stratford International
PEFF26 Speakers
Okezie Morro
PEFF26, Urchin
Okezie Morro
PEFF26, Urchin

Actor, Urchin

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PEFF26, Urchin
Rohan Ilett
PEFF26, Urchin
Rohan Ilett
PEFF26, Urchin

Location Marshall, Urchin

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PEFF26, Urchin
Eoin Doran
PEFF26, Wasteman
Eoin Doran
PEFF26, Wasteman

Screenwriter, Wasteman

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PEFF26, Wasteman
Lorenzo Levrini
PEFF26, Wasteman
Lorenzo Levrini
PEFF26, Wasteman

Director of Photography, Wasteman

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PEFF26, Wasteman
Collette Creary-Myers
PEFF26, Wasteman
Collette Creary-Myers
PEFF26, Wasteman

Art Director, Wasteman

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PEFF26, Wasteman
Sophia Gibber
PEFF26, Wasteman
Sophia Gibber
PEFF26, Wasteman

Producer Wasteman

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PEFF26, Wasteman
Phoebe Platman
PEFF26, Wasteman
Phoebe Platman
PEFF26, Wasteman

Production Designer, Wasteman

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PEFF26, Wasteman
Bianca Simone
PEFF26, Wasteman
Bianca Simone
PEFF26, Wasteman

Hair & Makeup Artist, Wasteman

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PEFF26, Wasteman
Tania Sengupta
PEFF26, How to Build a Library
Tania Sengupta
PEFF26, How to Build a Library

Lecturer at University College London

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PEFF26, How to Build a Library
Shahed Saleem
PEFF26, How to Build a Library
Shahed Saleem
PEFF26, How to Build a Library

Architect and Author

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PEFF26, How to Build a Library
Arun Nangla
PEFF26, London Boys
Arun Nangla
PEFF26, London Boys

Co-director & Cinematographer, London Boys

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PEFF26, London Boys
Laura Pavone
PEFF26, London Boys
Laura Pavone
PEFF26, London Boys

Co-director & Editor, London Boys

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PEFF26, London Boys
Cary Sawhney
PEFF26, London Boys, Shorts
Cary Sawhney
PEFF26, London Boys, Shorts

Director of KHAANA

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PEFF26, London Boys, Shorts
Joshua Castellino
PEFF26, The Stand
Joshua Castellino
PEFF26, The Stand

Professor & Executive Dean at Brunel University London

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PEFF26, The Stand
Jermaine Canute Edwards
PEFF26, My Father's Shadow
Jermaine Canute Edwards
PEFF26, My Father's Shadow

Cinematographer, My Father’s Shadow

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PEFF26, My Father's Shadow
Jerry Chiemeke
PEFF26, My Father's Shadow
Jerry Chiemeke
PEFF26, My Father's Shadow

Writer, Journalist and Film Critic

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PEFF26, My Father's Shadow
Chee Keong Cheung
PEFF26, My Father's Shadow
Chee Keong Cheung
PEFF26, My Father's Shadow

Filmmaker

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PEFF26, My Father's Shadow
Idil Ahmed
PEFF26, Lollipop
Idil Ahmed
PEFF26, Lollipop

Actress, Lollipop

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PEFF26, Lollipop
Toyeba Mushtaq
PEFF26, Homebound
Toyeba Mushtaq
PEFF26, Homebound

Curator & Programmer of South Asian Cinema

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PEFF26, Homebound
Jessi Gutch
PEFF26, Blue Has No Borders
Jessi Gutch
PEFF26, Blue Has No Borders

Director, Blue Has No Borders

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PEFF26, Blue Has No Borders
Cecile Embleton
PEFF26, Mother Vera
Cecile Embleton
PEFF26, Mother Vera

Filmmaker, Mother Vera

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PEFF26, Mother Vera
Jaha Browne
PEFF26, Mother Vera, Shorts
Jaha Browne
PEFF26, Mother Vera, Shorts

Director and Audio Artist

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PEFF26, Mother Vera, Shorts
Nigel Smith
PEFF26, Nigel Smith, Dreamers, Lost Cinemas Talk, Talks
Nigel Smith
PEFF26, Nigel Smith, Dreamers, Lost Cinemas Talk, Talks

London Tour Guide

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PEFF26, Nigel Smith, Dreamers, Lost Cinemas Talk, Talks
Aatif Nawaz
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Aatif Nawaz
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club

Comedian

Read More →
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Shazia Mirza
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Shazia Mirza
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club

Comedian

Read More →
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Shohini Chaudhuri
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Shohini Chaudhuri
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club

Professor at the University of Essex

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PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Samer Jaber
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club
Samer Jaber
PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club

Activist, Palestinian Solidarity Campaign Newham

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PEFF26, Palestine Comedy Club

PEFF26 Speakers & Performers

PEFF26 Short Filmmakers

PEFF26 Speakers
Cary Sawhney
PEFF26, London Boys, Shorts
Cary Sawhney
PEFF26, London Boys, Shorts

Director of KHAANA

Read More →
PEFF26, London Boys, Shorts
Mark Ryder
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Mark Ryder
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts

Filmmaker, Toast

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PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Kasey-Anais Blondell
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Kasey-Anais Blondell
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts

Filmmaker, Skate

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PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Timi Akindele-Ajani
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Timi Akindele-Ajani
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts

Filmmaker, Tony and Guests

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PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
King Simpson
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
King Simpson
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts

Filmmaker, Home

Read More →
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Luke Brookner
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Luke Brookner
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts

Filmmaker, Home

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PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts, Shorts
Rhys Aaron Lewis
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts
Rhys Aaron Lewis
PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts

Filmmaker, Run Like We

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PEFF26, Young Programmers Shorts
Edem Kelman
PEFF26, Uncommon Voices, Shorts
Edem Kelman
PEFF26, Uncommon Voices, Shorts

Director, Terence (Uncommon Voices)

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PEFF26, Uncommon Voices, Shorts
Tyra Chuck
PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Tyra Chuck
PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts

Filmmaker, Hear My World

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PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Dalila McFarlane Martin
PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Dalila McFarlane Martin
PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts

Director, Reload (Local Creatives Showcase)

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PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Joelle Mae David
PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Joelle Mae David
PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts

Director and founder of production company Bluebird Pictures

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PEFF26, Local Creatives Showcase, Shorts
Jaha Browne
PEFF26, Mother Vera, Shorts
Jaha Browne
PEFF26, Mother Vera, Shorts

Director and Audio Artist

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PEFF26, Mother Vera, Shorts

pictureeast steering group

The Steering Group made an invaluable contribution to the 2025 iteration of PictureEast Film Festival and their high level of involvement will resume in 2026. Passionate creatives who live, work and play in both Newham and Barking & Dagenham, have and will continue to shape every facet of the festival - including programming, community engagement and branding thanks to the support of Film London’s Spotlight scheme and other partners.

All We Imagine As Light screening at PEFF25

Learn More

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