We are delighted to offer 15 awards of £100 to students from the University of Edinburgh and the Confucius Institute for Scotland attending the 4 edition of MINT Chinese Film Festival in Kendal Brewery Arts, Cumbria, 6-8 March 2026. If you are interested in Chinese & Asian cinemas and motivated to embark on an exciting festival journey in the Chinese New Year in the beautiful Northern England’s Lake District, then this is a fantastic opportunity for you!

Please carefully read the Award criteria and application instructions in this article and submit your application to us as soon as possible: the deadline is 16:00 on 26 February .

The purpose and the coverage of the Award

The Mint Active Audience Award is supported by the Confucius Institute for Scotland, to motivate students from the University of Edinburgh  and the Confucius Institute for Scotland to explore this exciting cultural event and experience the diversity of Chinese and Asian cinemas. Our bursary awards are a contribution to the cost of travel and accommodation for those who are taking part in the festival. Please keep your travel, booking receipts and festival pass/tickets for subsequent reviewing purposes.

Award Criteria

You must be an enrolled undergraduate/postgraduate/PhD candidate/visiting student currently registered at the University of Edinburgh or be an enrolled student at the Confucius Institute for Scotland, to be eligible for an award.

The Mint Chinese Film Festival particularly welcomes participation and applications from women (cis/transgender/those identifying as a woman) and LGBTQ+ individuals/diverse sexualities.

In making awards, priority will be given to students who can demonstrate the following:

-a) that attendance at the festival is of particular relevance to your course of studies/intended future career, and/or you are interested in Chinese cinemas/gender issues/cross-cultural communications. Anything you think will demonstrate your interest is acceptable. It can be your enrolled courses/research/essays/film reviews/artworks/creative projects/short films/ticket receipts/reflections on these topics, or even a photo of you attending a film screening, a cultural event, a leisure trip, a research conference, a festival and so on!

- b) active participation in student societies and courses related to China, particularly those studying at the Confucius Institute for Scotland. 

- c) financial need - let us know why you need support for your travel and accommodation to participate in the Festival

Application deadline and instruction

Please apply by filling out the Application Form: https://forms.gle/rynmJiYY1Ja51XoT6 by 16:00 on 26 February 2026. Applications made after this time will not be considered.

Awards will be confirmed by email around 28 February and issued to recipients after the festival, on evidence of the purchase of a festival pass or film ticket(s) for the MINT Chinese Film Festival. Please make sure to keep receipts for festival tickets, travel and/or accommodation for internal review purposes, as any candidate who fails to provide such evidence will have their award withdrawn.

Festival Accmodation

We are offering affordable beds in shared rooms at our festival accmodation, Kendal Hostel from 5–9 March for attendees who plan to join the full festival. This option is especially suitable for university students and those looking for budget-friendly accommodation in a youth-hostel–style setting. If you are interested in booking the bed in a shared room and staying with our festival team and guest, please apply by filling out the google form by March 3, 2026.

About the 2026 4th Mint Chinese Film Festival

Mint Chinese Film Festival (MINT CFF) is the first women-organised Chinese film festival in the UK that focuses on cross-cultural communication and the representation of women. This film festival is a joint initiative between Edinburgh University alumnus British cinema operator Carol Rennie (MSc and PhD in Chinese Literature), and Chinese film curator Yixiang Lin (2022 MSc graduate in Film, Exhibition and Curation).

The fourth edition of MINT Chinese Film Festival (MINT CFF) will be held between 6-8 March 2026 at Kendal Brewery Arts Cinema, an integrated and vibrant venue for arts, culture, and festivals, located in the beautiful Lake District town of Kendal, Cumbria. We are preparing a brand-new, dynamic festival programme featuring a rich selection of new Chinese and Asian cinema, with over 35 films, including many UK, EU, and international premieres, presented through curated film programmes and screenings. Audiences can also look forward to a festival gala, filmmaker Q&As, signing sessions, workshops, drinks receptions, live gigs, DJ sets, outdoor activities, as well as Chinese New Year and International Women’s Day celebrations across Kendal town.

For more information about the festival programme, schedules, film selection, travel & accommodation, and ticketing, please visit our website unicornscreening.com

About 2026 Active Audience Award and Acknowledgement

2026 Mint CFF Active Audience Award is fully supported Confucius Institute for Scotland to motivate students University of Edinburgh and the Confucius Institute for Scotland to explore this exciting cultural event and the diversity of Chinese films and Asian cinema. In line with our mission and curatorial ethos, the Mint CFF encourages in particular women and sexual/gender diverse groups living in Scotland to participate in the 3rd edition of the Mint Chinese Film Festival in Keswick, exploring the diversity of Chinese cinemas and connecting with like-minded people.

Contact Info:

Festival team: mintcffteam@gmail.com

Organiser’s Info

Mint Chinese Film Festival, co-founded by Dr Carol Rennie and Yixiang Shirley Lin

Official Website: unicornscreening.com

Follow us on social media to stay tuned with full festival schedules and promotions

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