About Us

Sunrise Film Festival began in 2021 with a simple belief that a coastal town like Lowestoft deserves access to inspiring cinema, creative opportunities, and a platform for new voices.

Founded by filmmaker and creative himself, Joshua Freemantle, Sunrise was created to champion diverse stories and support emerging filmmakers who might otherwise struggle to be seen. What began as a grassroots idea has grown into Suffolk’s largest film festival, celebrating diverse stories and underrepresented filmmakers.

Over the past five years, Sunrise has grown into a vibrant cultural event for the town and a welcoming space for filmmakers and audiences alike. We’ve screened over 600 independent films, welcomed more than 5,000 audience members across our festival and year-round activity, and built a loyal community that believes in the power of storytelling.

For our most recent edition, which is set to take place from 20-23 August 2026, we received over 1,100 film submissions from across the UK and internationally, demonstrating just how Sunrise has become a trusted platform for emerging talent.

At the heart of the festival is our commitment to accessibility and representation. We prioritise filmmakers who may not yet have access to larger platforms and work hard to ensure our festival remains welcoming, affordable and inclusive.

One of the most powerful parts of our programme is our Break the Stigma strand, which highlights lived experiences on screen and sparks important conversations within our community and our commitment to equal programming with our 50/50 gender split pledge across our festival programmes.

Real Impact in Our Community

Sunrise isn’t just about watching films. It’s about bringing people together, strengthening community pride, and making arts and culture more accessible.

Our audiences consistently tell us that Sunrise makes a difference in their lives.

• 84% of attendees reported a positive impact on their wellbeing
• 88% felt more connected to arts and culture in their local area
• 91% said they would recommend the festival to others

In 2025 alone, the festival welcomed over 3,000 admissions across four days of screenings, talks and events, with audiences travelling from across the UK and internationally to experience independent cinema in Lowestoft too.

The People Behind Sunrise

Sunrise has always been powered by incredible people with a passion for inclusive cinema and independent film.

The festival is supported by an incredible volunteer network who help review films, programme events and welcome audiences every year. Over the years, we have worked with more than 500 volunteer film reviewers and programmers, alongside festival stewards and community volunteers who help bring the event to life.

Our Commitment

By uniting the energy of our annual film festival with year-round initiatives, workshops, and events for underrepresented talent, we are building a sustainable creative community. Our mission is to break down barriers in film, ensuring that young people and unrepresented creatives, regardless of background, have the tools, skills, and support they need to shine.