Mint Chinese Film Festival

MINT Chinese Film Festival (MINT CFF) “薄荷紫华语电影节” is an award-winning film festival and leading curatorial organisation founded by Chinese film curator Yixiang Lin and Dr Carol Rennie, parliamentary researcher and former co-owner of Keswick Alhambra Cinema. We are the first women-led Chinese film festival in the UK, focussed on cross-cultural communication and women’s representation. We hold an annual film festival around Chinese New Year, together with a large network of curators, and volunteers, we organise film releases, touring programmes, and film screenings, alongside other artistic and cultural events across the UK and abroad.

Since its first edition in 2023, MINT CFF has been held annually at the Keswick Alhambra Cinema, attracting a diverse UK audience. Each edition of our annual festival presents a rich selection of new Chinese and Asian film through curated programme of screenings, alongside a festival gala, director Q&As, workshops, networking sessions, live gigs, outdoor activities, and other cultural highlights such as Asian Arts and Crafts Markets, Chinese New Year celebration. The upcoming fourth edition will see MINT CFF relocate to its new home at Kendal Brewery Arts Cinema and take place over three days from 6-8 March 2026.

We’re preparing a brand-new, dynamic festival programme featuring a rich selection of new Chinese and Asian cinema, and films celebrating cinephilia, presented through curated film programmes and screenings. Everyone will also experience a festival gala, filmmaker Q&As, signing-sessions, workshops, drinks, live gigs, DJ sets, outdoor activities, as well as Chinese New Year celebrations across Kendal town.

Festival passes and tickets coming soon on Janurary 19th at Kendal Brewery Arts.

Can’t wait to see you soon at MINT CFF 2026 in Kendal this Spring!

We’ve received over 550 submissions from Chinese and Asian filmmakers, as well as diasporic talents who are shaping the landscape of Chinese and Asian cinema through the 2026 Call for Entries. More info about 2026 submission guidelines and competition sections can be found here:

Our Vision

We are dedicated to curating underrepresented voices, images, and stories by actively discovering, supporting, and presenting the works of Chinese and Asian creators and women directors. We are devoted to championing creators from these communities, and are actively fostering meaningful collaboration with cultural practitioners, organisations, and individuals who are interested in Chinese culture, Asian cinema and engaged in our women-centric curation, from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Since 2025, we have expanded our curatorial focus beyond Chinese cinema to embrace the wider Asian presence. We aim to showcase bold, high-quality independent films, along with other cultural and artistic works—particularly those created by women. Our goal is to bring these works and the unique curatorial spirit of MINT CFF to regions that rarely have the opportunity to engage with Chinese and Asian cinema.

Professional Associations & Networks

We are a member of the ICO International Film Festival Network, the first Chinese film festival to join, representing Asian festival organisers both UK-wide and internationally.