Firestorm Film Festival

28/09/2026

Friday night was one for the ages - not only did our biggest ever crowd take over screen 6, but we had pride of place across as audiences took their seat for a certain Encore.

You can see the Q&A with Brad Patisso in full on the Lancashire Film Network YT channel, and mark your cards for October 30th, when we'll be back in screen 5 (our home from home) for our After Dark horror & thriller showcase.

preston.arccinema.co.uk/event/109285

28/09/2026

Missed the Q&A from Friday night? Brad Patisso's chat with LFN director and indie film consultant Richard Albiston is now available on the YouTube channel.

Following a screening of his brand new documentary Paparazzi: Behin...

26/09/2026

Last night's audience might not have realised it... but they were a very important part of the road to Firestorm 2027.

For the very first time, Lancashire Firestorm Presents was presented like any conventional Hollywood film would be screened at Arc Cinema Preston. The same sound, picture and quality standards you'd expect from a blockbuster, but on independent short films from around the world... including the first shorts at any Lancashire Film Network event to screen in full 5.1 surround sound.

From all of us at Firestorm we want to say a huge thanks to Arc's projection staff - particularly Nick Hargreaves - for their work with us to pull off our first real test for how things will run from February 4th to 7th next year.

Submissions for the festival close on October 25th - so if you want your film to be in the mix for consideration... now is the time. Head to the link in our bio to learn more!

25/09/2026

What. A. Night.
Our student film showcase went down a storm - and so did our Q&A with the great Brad Patisso. Missed out? We do it all again on October 30th, with a night of horror, thriller, and all things that go bump in the night...

Head to the Arc Cinema website, app or drop by in-foyer to secure your seat for just a fiver!

25/09/2026

A Northern Force is brewing this weekend, and not just in the sport world... tonight we're a bit further down the corridor but there's still a world of cinema to enjoy here at Arc Preston, with tickets available online and on the door for just a fiver.

Film critic Jack Smit and independent film consultant Richard Albiston will get our night of award-winning student films started at 7.05pm - make sure you're in your seat by then!

24/09/2026

Our Flyers are starting to make their way around the city - from Arc Cinema Preston itself to the Argento Lounge, the word is spreading about Preston's home for bold stories.

We're also incredibly proud to announce that the Firestorm trailer is now playing with every single film at Arc, so if you're joining us from the preshow, welcome to the family.

This is Firestorm. Where Bold Stories Ignite.

24/09/2026

One last reminder of our Student Night lineup for tomorrow - six outstanding films from around the globe, with Paparazzi: Behind The Lens director Brad Patisso joining us for the Q&A.

Tickets are FLYING out of Arc Cinema Preston's box office: you'll only find these films on the festival circuit, so if you miss them, you've missed out.

Join us from 7pm tomorrow night, with film critic Jack Smit and film producer, writer and distribution consultant Richard Albiston as your hosts for another night of standout indie cinema.

preston.arccinema.co.uk/event/109285

23/09/2026

Our audiences are AMAZING - we're on track for our biggest ever Presents turnout, so on behalf of our small but mighty team, thanks for booking your tickets!

However, we do have an important message: if you're coming down, please make sure you're in your seat for 7:05pm. Being in Screen 6 - our home for one month only - means we've got to do things a little bit differently behind the scenes, but it'll make the films look and sound even better than ever.

Limited tickets are available via the Arc Cinema Preston website and app, as well as in-foyer, for a fiver!

preston.arccinema.co.uk/event/109285

21/09/2026

It's a big step on the Firestorm journey this week, both on and off screen - namely as we'll be introducing you to more of the wider Lancashire Film Network family.

Our festival ambassador Jack Smit will introduce the night as usual, but this month, Richard Albiston (judge at Lytham International Film Festival, and Lancashire Film Network director) will take the reigns for our chat with Brad Patisso.

New screen. New (and familiar) faces. Same Firestorm you know and love.

Join Jack, Richard and Brad this Friday night at Arc Cinema Preston - tickets are just a fiver.

preston.arccinema.co.uk/event/109285

20/09/2026

Coming to Firestorm fresh off its win in the LGBTQ+ Voices strand at our sister event in Lytham - Sunday Lunch is a National Film & Television School standout that's taken the circuit by storm with its sharp writing and humour.

See Sunday Lunch, plus five more award-winning student films to cap off Freshers week with a bang - is only at Arc Cinema Preston this Friday night, with tickets only £5!

preston.arccinema.co.uk/event/109285