What we’re about
RAI FILM is the film section of the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) – the world‘s longest-established scholarly association dedicated to the furtherance of anthropology (the study of humankind) in its broadest and most inclusive sense. Established in 1955, RAI FILM celebrates cutting-edge documentaries while also offering an inclusive and nurturing environment to actively encourage and mentor first-time and student filmmakers. Our mission is to advance the role of film in anthropology and share the richness of anthropological insight with a broad audience. Through film, we explore cultural diversity, encourage intercultural dialogue, support filmmakers, and foster a thriving, inclusive community. We provide a dynamic platform and valuable resources for discovering the world of anthropological documentary filmmaking.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- RAI FILM Festival 40th Anniversary EditionWatershed, Bristol
The RAI FILM Festival 2025 will offer a vibrant display of creativity, filmmaking craft, and rich anthropological perspectives through groundbreaking documentaries from around the world. The 2025 edition will take place from 11 to 15 June at the Arnolfini and the Watershed, in Bristol, and will be followed by an online programme available worldwide from 16 June to 16 July.
Organised by the Royal Anthropological Institute since 1985, the RAI FILM Festival stands as the premier global event for those passionate about anthropological documentary filmmaking. As the largest, most influential and one of the oldest of its kind, it showcases the most groundbreaking films that ask the big questions about what it means to be human and how to tell people’s stories on their own terms.
This year, the festival celebrates its 40th anniversary under the theme Looking Back, Looking Forward, inviting audiences to reflect on memory, history, and the futures we imagine through film. How are contemporary filmmakers reworking narratives, innovating cinematic language, and revisiting archives to respond to the complexities of the present?
This landmark edition brings to Bristol 94 films from 36 countries, including 14 World Premieres and 39 UK premieres, and spanning observational documentaries, essay films, experimental works, and indigenous media — accompanied by filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, seminars, and a workshop, all contributing to a rich, diverse, and thought-provoking experience.
Highlights include:
- A discussion with TV presenter Bruce Parry attending in person.
- A tribute to the pioneering feminist anthropologist and filmmaker Melissa Llewelyn-Davies (1945–2025).
- Film-festival favourites such as Avant-Drag!, Marching in the Dark, The Other Profile, in addition to Blueberry Dreams and Canuto's Transformation, landing in the UK for the first time.
- Special curated strands that showcase experimental approaches that push the boundaries of non-fiction cinema: Shifting Grounds: Experimental / Environmental and Echoes from the Archive.
- An amazing collection of music documentaries, as the super fun Hopa Lide.Passes are now on sale and all package options are described here.
Individual tickets are available for purchase directly at the Watershed Arnolfini ticket systems.
BROWSE THE FULL PROGRAMME RAI FILM FESTIVAL WEBSITE: https://raifilm.org.uk/festivals/2025/!
