About Penistone Film Festival

Celebrating cinema's past whilst inspiring its future

Our Story

Who needs Hollywood, when Barnsley has Penistone? Penistone Film Festival began with a simple idea: bring people back to the magic of cinema by celebrating where film began — visual storytelling, live music, shared audiences and big-screen wonder. Based in the historic Penistone Paramount, one of the UK’s oldest working cinemas, and the beautiful Grade I listed St John the Baptist Church, the festival turns Penistone into a destination for filmmakers, film lovers and curious visitors. We are a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, built to support independent film, local creativity and the next generation of filmmakers. Our programme brings together international short films, silent cinema classics, live scores, stunt workshops, student opportunities, industry guests, celebrity judges and unforgettable live events. From young people filming on phones to Hollywood directors joining the conversation, Penistone Film Festival exists to make cinema feel exciting, accessible and alive again. Celebrating where cinema began. Inspiring where it goes next.

Historic Venues

The Penistone Paramount

Since 1914, the Penistone Paramount has been at the heart of our town’s cultural life. Originally built as the town’s Assembly Hall with a theatre, it has served as a dance hall, community venue and one of the earliest homes of silent cinema. As film grew in popularity, it evolved into the much-loved cinema and live entertainment venue it is today. More than a century later, the Paramount continues to host the latest films, live concerts, comedy, music, community events and the beloved annual pantomime performed by our local Penistone Theatre Group⁠, remaining one of Britain’s oldest independent cinemas still welcoming audiences. That remarkable history is the inspiration behind Penistone Film Festival. By celebrating the origins of cinema while championing the filmmakers shaping its future, the Paramount is more than our venue, it’s a part of our story.

St John the Baptist Church

Standing proudly in the heart of Penistone, the Grade I listed St John the Baptist Church has welcomed visitors for almost 1,000 years. Penistone is recorded in the Domesday Book, while the church itself contains Saxon stonework and the remains of a 10th-century Saxon cross, offering a fascinating glimpse into the town’s earliest history. The church also has an unexpected place in sporting history. Its churchyard is the final resting place of John Charles Shaw, one of the founding figures of organised football and a driving force behind the world’s first football tournament, the Youdan Cup. Today, this beautiful medieval church is one of the centrepieces of Penistone Film Festival, hosting performances, screenings and special events in an unforgettable setting. Whether you’re exploring Penistone’s rich history, discovering Yorkshire’s heritage or enjoying the festival, St John the Baptist Church is a place where history, culture and community come together.

Meet the Team

Jennifer Bulcock founded Penistone Film Festival with a simple idea: world-class cinema doesn’t just belong in London or Hollywood. An actor, writer and producer, she’s passionate about diversity, inclusion and making the arts genuinely accessible. She believes the next generation shouldn’t be told to put their phones away—they should be taught how to use them to tell stories. In many ways, platforms like TikTok have brought visual storytelling full circle, proving that powerful films don’t need huge budgets, just imagination.

Laura Stevens started volunteering for Penistone Film Festival in 2026 following its success in its founding year. She wanted to get involved in community-driven projects and events and has enjoyed being part of such a warm, welcoming and inclusive team - she encourages anyone who is interested in volunteering their time or supporting the festival to get in touch. Laura aims to use her background in television production management to help build the festival and its outreach and local impact, whilst embracing its core ethos of inclusion and accessibility in its events and infrastructure to help people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy the magic of filmmaking.

Mike McKenzie joined Penistone Film Festival after its first year, taking the baton from his son Christian when he relocated to China. Festival followers may recognise Christian as Buster Keaton in our popular promotional film, How to Be a Filmmaker. Mike brings decades of experience in leadership, community engagement, youth development and major sporting events. He founded Quest Taekwondo in 1988 and is a 7th Dan Master with more than 45 years’ experience. During that time, he has developed Quest into a renowned club, received a Lifetime Achievement Award and served as Sports Manager for Taekwondo at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The competition was described by the World Taekwondo Federation as the best Olympic taekwondo event it had staged.

Support the Festival

Penistone Film Festival is a non profit event built by volunteers, passion and the belief that film should be open to everyone. We work to break down barriers, gatekeeping and nepotism by creating affordable, accessible screenings and real opportunities for filmmakers, students and volunteers to learn, make connections and be seen. Every ticket bought, donation made, souvenir purchased, post shared and hour volunteered helps us keep the festival independent, inclusive and growing for our community.

Whether you're a filmmaker, volunteer, sponsor or visitor, we'd love to welcome you to Penistone Film Festival.

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