Fisheye Film Festival 1
Fisheye Film Festival 1

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Lights, camera, action: Fisheye International Film Festival opens tomorrow in High Wycombe

The Fisheye International Film Festival officially returns tomorrow (Thursday 16 April) transforming High Wycombe into a hub for global cinema. 

This year’s festival marks a major milestone with a move to the beautifully restored Brunel Engine Shed and an amazing programme with 12 feature films, including 10 UK premieres. The festival continues an 11-year legacy of putting High Wycombe on the international cultural map. 

The festival is a testament to the vision of its co-founders, long-time BNU staff member Mariko Francombe and Simon Kearey. Since 2015, Mariko and the Fisheye team have spent the last 11 years transforming the festival from a local community project into a prestigious international competition that screens entries from the UK and 26 other countries. 

Fisheye Film Festival 2

For BNU, the festival is more than a partner – it is a professional laboratory. Under the co-founders’ leadership, Fisheye has become a vital “industry pipeline” for BNU students and alumni: 

  • This year’s bold new festival identity was designed by BNU Graphics student Amin Jahanshahi after he created last year’s brochure. 
  • For the second year in a row, you can see the creative work of Costume Design students, this time in the Brunel Shed from 16–19 April. 
  • Film & TV students will be gaining hands-on experience crewing the live events throughout the festival and studying some of the films as part of their coursework.  

Mariko said: “Fisheye is a testament to the creative energy within High Wycombe and BNU. We’ve worked hard to create a space where international cinema meets local talent, giving our students a platform to work alongside professionals and showcase their work to our growing audience." 

The 2026 programme offers a diverse mix of drama, documentary and live performance, including: 

  • Opening night (16 April): The UK premiere of Tell Me What Foot You’re Dancing On, a documentary celebrating the resilience of movement, echoing the region’s Paralympic heritage. 
  • Open Mic Session (17 April): Held at Wycombe Arts Centre, filmmakers can show their own work and get live feedback. Contact Mariko to book a slot. 
  • Poetry & Motion (18 April): A fusion of live dance and poetry inspired by the festival's films. 
  • Fisheye Futures Networking (23 April): A dedicated screening and networking event for students in Drama Studio 1. Doors open at 6:30pm with drinks and snacks provided. 
  • The Gala Awards Night (25 April): Hosted at BNU’s Winter Garden, where the "hot pink" red carpet will welcome filmmakers and the public for the final awards celebration. 

Fisheye Film Festival 3

Fancy going along? 

BNU students can enjoy free entry to in-person screenings by presenting their student ID. 

Looking to build your CV? There are still opportunities to volunteer with running events and meet visiting filmmakers. Contact Mariko or reach out via Bucks SU Volunteering. 

The public can purchase tickets and passes via Eventbrite, with a virtual festival also running online via eoFlix from 16 April until 2 May. 

Find out more about the Fisheye Festival here. 

Notes to editors 

  • Mariko Francombe and student contributors are available for interview. Please contact Mariko at fisheyefilmfest@gmail.com or 07808 723318. 
  • Images: High-resolution production stills and photos of the Brunel Engine Shed venue are available upon request. 
  • About Fisheye: Founded in 2015, the festival has run an international competition since 2016 and is supported by Buckinghamshire Council, BNU, and Marlow Studios. 
  • Website: https://fisheyefilmfest.uk/