Sea Change Film Festival 2025 – The Isle of Tiree

This September, you can hold on to the summer and soak in world class films on the Isle of Tiree - the most westerly of the Inner Hebrides and one of the sunniest places in the UK. 

A warm Tirisdeach welcome awaits you at Sea Change Film Festival from Friday 19 - Sunday 21 September. Everyone is invited for a weekend of film, conversation and community. All set against the spectacular backdrop of the ‘Hawaii of the North’. 

Sea Change offers a magical combination of blue waters, white beaches and the silver screen. For many, their festival really starts with bumping into other film fans on the CalMac ferry. Are you in? Your escape begins with a scenic ferry journey on the Oban - Tiree service, to slow the pace and plan your festival picks as you head for the tranquillity of Tiree.

The festival presents an impressive line up to suit anyone - from award-winning films, screen industry guests, workshops, family activities. Tiree’s own Jen Skinner is the force behind Sea Change - Scotland’s only annual film festival celebrating women behind the camera. Now in its 8th year/edition. Sea Change has become a firm favourite and a huge success, attracting internationally renowned films and film makers to make their way to Tiree. 

This year’s festival begins with a special opening night screening of “The Rugged Isle: A Shetland Lyric” - a poignant 1934 ‘story documentary’ about crofting life by the pioneering Scottish filmmaker Jenny Gilbertson. Set to be an unforgettable experience, the film is accompanied live by a new music score from award-winning Fair Isle multi-instrumentalist Inge Thomson, with Shetland-born Catriona Macdonald - considered one of the world's leading traditional fiddle players. 

We will have Orcadian, Amy Liptrot here, introducing a screening of The Outrun, as well as Shallow Grave star Kerry Fox, who will be joining us for a celebration of her life on screen. 
Sea Change always showcases a handpicked selection of the best new films from women directors from across the globe, this year we have films including Motherboard, BAFTA-winner Victoria Mapplebeck’s epic look at solo motherhood shot over 20 years and 6 iPhones, with the director here in Tiree for the festival and Sister Midnight, Karan Kandhari’s feminist punk black comedy set on the streets of Mumbai. 

Embrace the festival’s unique setting and enjoy daily group sea swims, pilates on the beach, try your hand at learning the language on a Gaelic walk - and there’s even a ceilidh dancing class on offer to get you into the Tiree spirit. Speaking of which - why not pick up a bottle of exquisite gin crafted by Opens in new windowIsle of Tiree Distillery, who are reviving and preserving over 200 years of distilling heritage on the island. It’s not only the lush location that makes Sea Change such a special experience - it’s that everyone comes together. Discover spellbinding stories on the big screen, explore rugged sandy bays and spot sea birds - and take home treasured memories from this enchanted island.