The programme for the 16th annual HippFest has been announced, promising five Flapper-fueled days of silent film and live music, Wednesday 18 - Sunday 22 March 2026. The Festival, which is a project of Falkirk Council and takes place in the historic Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness, will showcase the earliest decades of 20th Century cinema with a sensational line-up of film screenings, live music, workshops and more.
The Festival opens on Wednesday 18 March with a masterpiece of the silent era. While not as widely known as The Wind (HippFest 2024), Victor Sjöström’s The Outlaw and His Wife (1918) is a tempestuous melodrama that plays against the devastatingly beautiful backdrop of the mountains of Iceland.
The 16th edition of HippFest will come to a close on Sunday 22 March with a masterpiece of the American Dream. King Vidor’s The Crowd (1928) is an intensely affecting, down-to-earth story featuring flawless performances, astonishing location work and captivating cinematography. With live accompaniment from John Sweeney, this will be a bravura finale for HippFest 2026.
Explore the full programme on the HippFest website.
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland said: “HippFest has become one of Scotland’s most distinctive and admired film festivals, and this edition promises to be a wonderful celebration of everything that makes it so special. Showcasing rare and restored silent films with extraordinary live musical performances, the festival continues to bring the cinemaitc past to thrillingly life in it's evocative home that is the Hippodrome. What’s equally striking is the warmth and generosity of the HippFest team who welcome audiences of all ages, from Bo’ness and beyond, to share in a truly immersive communal cultural experience. It is fantastic to be able to support HippFest and its continued ambition, creativity and impact, and we look forward to celebrating this exciting year's festival with audiences and artists alike.”
In anticipation of this year’s HippFest, Festival Director Alison Strauss said: “We cannot wait to welcome audiences to the 16th edition of HippFest. This year’s programme contains a wealth of musical talent, both Scottish and international, with a spectacular selection of silent film, from rediscovered classics to revelatory new discoveries. Whoever you are and wherever you’re from we invite you to join the Festival community. You’ll discover not only great films and live music but also the beautiful town of Bo’ness and the surrounding region where each day is packed with screenings, activities and opportunities to get involved. We hope you’ll join us for this celebration of cinema at its best.”
The 16th edition of HippFest will take place in and around the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness, Wednesday 18 - Sunday 22 March 2026. Tickets are on sale from 12noon on Wednesday 4 February, with the HippFest Festival Passes beginning at £66 and available now.
A Digital Festival Pass is also available for the online Festival, HippFest at Home, with an extended 7-day viewing window from Monday 30 March - Monday 06 April 2026. To book your place at HippFest and to sign up for updates from the Festival, visit 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.
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Image credits: Still from The Cameraman courtesy Park Circus / Warner Bros