Penistone Film Festival
Join us on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2025, for the Penistone Silent Film Festival - a two-day celebration of the origins of the motion picture industry.
With silent cinema, live music, vintage glamour, theatrical performances, immersive actors, and visual storytelling – all hosted here at the historic Penistone Paramount theatre.
From Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd & Clara Bow to modern stunt demonstrations, contemporary organ concert, and TikTok style filmmakers, this is a festival that bridges the past and present – inviting a new generation to engage with art through film, music, comedy, stunts, and creativity.
Ticket Info:
- A limited number of weekend and day passes are available, or you can buy separate tickets for individual section(s) on the Saturday.
- Concession prices are available for: Under 25s, Students, Seniors 65+, Registered Disabled, or Low-Income Support (evidence required)
VIP Weekend 2 Day Pass For Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2025:
Reserved Seating. Stalls: £50.65 | £35.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £50.65 | £35.65 | Registered Carers Free
- Only 60 available
- Early entry from 9am (both days)
• VIP seat reservation using your headrest cover and lanyard
• Access to all Penistone Film Festival 2025 events (Saturday: 9am to 10pm and Sunday: 9am to 3pm)
• Exclusive VIP gift bag. Gift bag includes a reusable lidded festival cup, reusable popcorn tub (pre-filled), can of American cream soda, Yorkshire tea sample, mini bottle of Henderson’s Relish (glass), VIP lanyard, wristband & seat headrest cover, fFestival pen and a printed programme (designed by a local artist) with space for your notes
NB: VIP passes are the only way to reserve your seat for the 2 day event – all other tickets have unallocated seating.
Buy a VIP Weekend Pass
Saturday, 18 October 2025 - 1 Day Pass: 10am to 10pm
Unreserved Seating - access to all Penistone Film Festival events on Saturday 18 October 2025.
Stalls: £35.65 | £20.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £35.65 | £20.65 | Registered Carers Free
Buy a Saturday Only Pass
Sunday, 19 October 2025 - 1 Day Pass: 10am to 3pm
Unreserved Seating - access to all Penistone Film Festival events on Sunday 19 October 2025.
Stalls: £25.65 | £15.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £25.65 | £15.65 | Registered Carers Free
Note: Sunday is one full-day ticket and will not be split into individual sessions.
Buy a Sunday Only Pass
Separate Tickets For Individual Sections On Saturday, 18 October 2025:
Saturday, 18 October 2025: Buster Keaton Section - 10am to 1:30pm
Unreserved Seating. Stalls: £13.65 | £7.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £13.65 | £7.65 | Registered Carers Free
Buy individual ticket(s) for the Buster Keaton Section
Saturday, 18 October 2025: Harold Lloyd Section - 1:30pm to 5pm
Unreserved Seating. Stalls: £11.65 | £6.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £11.65 | £6.65 | Registered Carers Free
Buy individual ticket(s) for the Harold Lloyd Section
Saturday, 18 October 2025: Sensory-Friendly Screenings Section - 5pm to 8pm
Unreserved Seating. Stalls: £8.65 | £5.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £8.65 | £5.65 | Registered Carers Free
Buy individual ticket(s) for the Sensory-Friendly Screenings
Saturday, 18 October 2025: Clara Bow "It-Girl" Section - 8pm to 10pm
Unreserved Seating. Stalls: £10.65 | £6.65 | Registered Carers Free or Circle: £10.65 | £6.65 | Registered Carers Free
Buy individual ticket(s) for the Clara Bow It-Girl Section
EVENT INFO:
Day 1: Saturday, 18 October 2025
9:30am Doors Open (9am for VIP 2-Day Pass Holders)
• All-Day Attractions
Art stalls, food vendors, vintage photo booth (prints included), costume competitions, immersive actors.
Keep an eye out for our uninvited little tramp and his nemesis – a very strict ex-Keystone Cop security guard…
• Filmmaker Screenings
Watch selected entries from our silent film competition throughout the day
BUSTER KEATON SECTION: Saturday 9:30am to 1:30pm
• 10:00am – Buster Keaton’s The Cameraman
Live piano by Andy Quin (Boardwalk Empire, Victoria & Abdul, Better Call Saul)
• Special Presentation
Talk by the International Buster Keaton Society: The Hidden Language of Silent Film
HAROLD LLOYD SECTION: Saturday 1:30pm to 5pm
• Harold Lloyd’s Bumping Into Broadway
With pre-recorded improvised organ accompaniment by Tom Horton
• Live Theatre & Comedy
“Against the Clock!” – a two-act comedy show by Fools Talk Theatre: a high-energy tribute to Harold Lloyd and the silent film icons of the 1920s
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SCREENING SECTION: Saturday 5pm to 8pm
• Sensory-Friendly Screenings
Three surreal Charley Bowers shorts with pre-recorded organ scores by Tom Horton
Plus an educational talk from Matthew Ross at The Lost Laugh Comedy Club
• Local History Connection
Discover Penistone’s link to Sheffield and the birth of modern football
(Hint: check the historic graves just across the road)
CLARA BOW "IT GIRL" SECTION: Saturday 8pm to 10pm
• Evening Feature: Clara Bow in IT
With live music by Andy Quin. The film that inspired a Taylor Swift song – and a MIGHTY musical finale to Saturday!
Day 2: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Dress to impress in your best Art Deco-inspired 1920s outfit – we’ll be awarding surprise prizes throughout the day!
9:30am Doors Open (9am for VIP 2-Day Pass Holders)
• Roaming Performer
A vintage stilt walker adds some elevated elegance to the atmosphere.
• 10:00am – Opening Performance
Live flapper girls Charleston dance to open the day
• Matt Walters aka @Reductio – A Cinematic Organ Concert.
We’re thrilled to present a specially filmed performance created just for Penistone Film Festival by young organist Matt Walters, Organ Scholar at Downside Abbey, he’s become an online sensation with his modern twists playing his traditional instrument.
Immersive visuals, with organ music as Matt transitions through the decades. Ending with a, not-to-be-missed contemporary organ mix!It’ll feel like he’s right there in the room. Young and young-at-heart alike won’t believe their ears…!
• Meet the Judges & Filmmakers
Hear from our panel, winning filmmakers, and members of the British Stunt Register. Also a message from Buster Keatons Great granddaughter in LA for one lucky filmmaker.
• HOLLYWOOD Stunt Demo by BSR Performers
From equestrian stunt-work and martial arts to screen combat – up close and in action.
(No horses inside – we checked!) Find out what it takes to be a stunt artist.
• Filmmaker Showcase & Awards Ceremony
Celebrate the winners of our silent-style short film competition winners screening and presentation.
• Closing Talk
We hand over to the Penistone Cinema Organ Trust for a fascinating insight into the history and legacy of the mighty Compton organ.
• 3pm - Event Close
For more info, please visit the Penistone Film Festival Website.
www.PenistoneFilmFestival.com
After The PENISTONE FILM FESTIVAL
After the Penistone Film Festival finishes, there will be a special performance of The Phantom Of The Opera with live organ accompaniment by the celebrated organist Donald Mackenze at the console of the Mighty Compton Paramount Cinema Organ.
The Phantom of the Opera is a 1925 American silent horror film adaptation of Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel of the same name. It was directed by Rupert Julian and starred Lon Chaney, Sr in the title role of the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star. The movie remains most famous for Chaney's ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film's premiere.
Sunday, 19 October 2025 at 3:30pm
Tickets are £15.65 each.
Buy Tickets For 'The Phantom Of The Opera'