Now in its fourth year, Bristol’s Forbidden Worlds Film Festival has truly hit its stride. What began in 2022 as a genre-lover’s dream has become one of the UK’s most distinctive repertory film events – and the 2025 edition proved its boldest, most ambitious yet.
Held at the city’s cavernous former IMAX – now the Bristol Megascreen – this year’s festival themed its programme around aquatic cinema, marking 50 years of Jaws. That influence swam through the schedule, from a packed anniversary screening of Waterworld to the first UK showing of the rarely-seen Japanese cult gem The Whale God.
But what really elevated this year’s festival was the presence of Gale Anne Hurd – the legendary producer behind Aliens, The Terminator, and Tremors – who was honoured as this year’s Forbidden Worlds Legend. Hurd was a class act: eloquent in her on-stage conversation with journalist Helen O’Hara, and enthusiastic in her personal introductions to films she helped bring to life. Her appearance was bolstered by heartfelt video tributes from none other than James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver, turning the occasion into a celebration not just of film, but of film history.
Elsewhere, the programming team kept their reputation for offbeat discoveries alive. Whether it was a long-lost WWII horror (Below, 2002) or a surprise late-night queer mermaid slasher (yes, really), the curation was sharp and trusting of its audience. The atmosphere? Joyful, geeky, and welcoming.
There was room for new voices, too. The festival’s short film showcase – focused on finding the “Genre Filmmakers of the Future” – played to an enthusiastic crowd, with standouts ranging from martial arts epics to witch-trial horrors. The Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short award went to What Happens On Earth by Tristan Patrick Sherfield, a well-earned win.
Adding emotional heft was the world premiere of The Big Picture, a locally made documentary telling the forgotten story of the Bristol IMAX – a venue that once lay derelict, and now pulses with cinematic life thanks to events like this.
If Forbidden Worlds once felt like a hidden gem, that may be changing. With over 1,500 admissions and a palpable sense of community, the festival has proven it’s here to stay – not just as a celebration of genre cinema, but as a home for the fans who love it.
Find out more about Forbidden Worlds on their website