About us
Bradford International Film Festival (BradIFF) is back!
Celebrating the creativity of Bradford’s filmmakers alongside outstanding films from across the UK and beyond, BradIFF brings the magic of cinema to the heart of our UNESCO City of Film. With a rich filmmaking heritage and a thriving creative scene, Bradford has long been a powerhouse for film and television—and in 2025, the city shines even brighter as the UK City of Culture.
Following a fantastic debut in 2024, BradIFF returns—bigger, bolder, and more exciting than ever. This year, we continue our commitment to championing diverse voices in cinema, with a special spotlight on Global Majority filmmakers. Through dedicated screenings, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, we aim to amplify their stories and celebrate their contributions to the industry.
From October 27th to November 2nd, BradIFF will take over cultural venues across the city, featuring an inspiring lineup of films, special events, and industry discussions. The festival will culminate in our awards ceremony, honouring the best in local and international filmmaking, alongside an industry day designed to bring creatives together and spark new collaborations.
Co-Director -
Jan Ruppe
Jan Ruppe is a writer, producer and teacher living and working in Bradford. Jan trained as an actor at LAMDA and performed on stage and screen for many years She was a published playwright before moving into screenwriting. Since 2021 Jan has moved into film and has written and produced three short films with her company EmJayArts. ‘Trees’ is currently doing the festival circuit and has so far won two awards. ‘Mind Your Language’ was funded by Bradford Council’s small arts grant in 2023.
Co-Director -
louisa rose
mackleston
Louisa is a writer, director, producer and founder of Northern Fortress Films. She also works as a documentary producer at Tell Studio.
She has produced and directed over 16 films across the UK, Italy, and Japan, spanning narrative, documentary, and commercial formats. Her first film, Ruth & Safiya, won Best Short at Cardiff International Film Festival and was selected for the BAFTA-qualifying Leeds International Film Festival. She has worked with Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy and trained with John Landis at the International Filmmaking Academy in Bologna.
A 2022 Virgin Money Foundation Young Change Maker Fellow, Louisa is a TEDx speaker and passionate advocate for accessible filmmaking. She is part of the Queer and Disabled community and runs inclusive sets with diversity at their core.
She has taken part in Screen Yorkshire’s FLEX Director scheme, the Bradford 2025 x Screen Yorkshire Forge Script Lab, and is currently on the Bradford 2025 Producer Exchange. Recent projects include directing the BFI short Habituation and producing Surprise, Baby! (2024) with Rope Ladder Fiction (Waterloo Road).