Applications for the 2026 MINT Chinese Film Festival’s Active Audience Award are now open. Our Institute supports these awards to motivate students from the Confucius Institute for Scotland and at the University of Edinburgh to explore this exciting cultural festival and experience the diversity of Chinese and Asian film.

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

The 2026 edition of MINT CFF will take place on the 6th – 8th 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. A brand-new, dynamic festival programme is underway 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 Lunar New Year and International Women’s Day celebrations across the town of Kendal.

The deadline for the Active Audience Award is 16:00 on 26th February 2026. For further details, visit HERE