Scotland’s only festival dedicated to silent film with live music returns for its 16th edition next spring. HippFest will take over the historical mining town of Bo’ness, Wednesday 18 through to Sunday 22 March 2026 for five days of unparalleled cinema magic.
Film-struck fans can book their place at next year’s event with the release of the 2026 HippFest Festival Pass.
The HippFest Festival Pass will grant holders access to all eligible screening events in the Hippodrome during the festival dates (booking required), along with a host of other benefits including priority booking and a discount at the Hippodrome cafe and bar. Prices start at just £66 for the HippFest Under-30s Weekend Pass, with prices frozen from 2025 for the standard HippFest Weekend Pass and HippFest Five Day Pass at £99 and £142.50 respectively.
Inspired by the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness, Scotland’s oldest purpose-built picture palace, HippFest is an emphatic celebration of the silent era, pairing the magic of the silver screen with the virtuoso talent of some of the best musicians and accompanists on the live circuit today.
While the full programme won’t be revealed until the New Year, there is plenty to look forward to with the HippFest Festival Pass. Regular programme highlights include New Found Sound where young musicians accompany short films from the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive: a dynamic look at the past soundtracked by musicians of the future. Silent comedy abounds from the Saturday morning Jeely Jar Screening to the Sunday afternoon Laurel & Hardy Double Bill. The ever-popular Platform Reels which takes place on the platform of Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. And the glittering Friday Night Gala, complete with red carpet and post-screening entertainment.
The 16th edition of HippFest will take place in and around the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness, Wednesday 18 - Sunday 22 March 2026. HippFest Festival Passes begin at £66 and are available now. Book your place at HippFest and sign up for updates on the HippFest website.
HippFest is a project of Falkirk Council, supported by Film Hub Scotland part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, with additional support from Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland, and National Lottery funding from the BFI.
Festival Director Alison Strauss said: “Our 16th HippFest is shaping up to be a dazzling international event with films from Sweden, Norway, Japan, the US, Germany and of course Scotland! We’ll be working with world-class musicians, pairing them with our exciting line up of rediscoveries and restorations, as well as with a host of excellent guest speakers, authors, artists and partners. We’re looking forward to welcoming audiences from far and wide for the full schedule of events and activities that the Festival has to offer, and we’re especially thrilled to extend that invitation to our online audiences too, thanks to our expanded and immersive HippFest at Home offer.”
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Image credits: Kat Gollock