About

The I Will Tell International Film Festival (I Will Tell) is one of the UK’s most distinctive film festivals, renowned for its bold commitment to truth-telling, fearless storytelling, and cultural transformation through film. Founded in London in 2007 by J. L., the festival was born from a vision to create a space where stories that are often unheard or silenced could be brought into the light. Over nearly two decades, the festival has grown into a global platform, showcasing films that span continents, cultures, and genres, while igniting conversations that matter.

At its heart, I Will Tell is more than a film festival. It is a movement dedicated to amplifying voices, tackling pressing issues of our time, and inspiring audiences to act. The festival’s guiding principle is rooted in the conviction that justice is what love looks like in public. Through powerful storytelling, the festival challenges perspectives, confronts injustices, and offers hope in the face of global and personal struggles.

The festival features a diverse programme of films — from hard-hitting documentaries and groundbreaking independent features to thought-provoking shorts and animations. Each selection is curated not only for artistic merit but also for its ability to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue. Screenings are followed by lively Q&A sessions with filmmakers, activists, academics, and community leaders, ensuring that the conversation extends far beyond the cinema.

Over the years, I Will Tell has screened more than 500 films from over 50 countries, welcoming filmmakers and audiences from all walks of life. The festival has provided a launchpad for independent filmmakers to connect with international audiences and has drawn respected thought leaders into its conversations, including politicians, faith leaders, artists, human rights advocates, and everyday changemakers.

What sets I Will Tell apart is its fearless engagement with issues often considered too controversial, complex, or sensitive for mainstream platforms. Previous themes have tackled racism, gender inequality, poverty, migration, war, climate justice, faith, identity, and reconciliation. By confronting difficult truths, the festival offers space for empathy and healing, while celebrating the resilience and creativity of the human spirit.

The festival is also deeply committed to inclusivity and accessibility. It has historically reached underserved communities, hosted free screenings for children and families, and provided opportunities for marginalised voices to take centre stage. It honours the past, engages the present, and inspires the future — bridging generations and cultures through the universal language of film.

In addition to film screenings, the festival features special events, live discussions, workshops, and immersive experiences. Its unique format often pairs films with panels that bring together unexpected voices — politicians with artists, survivors with policymakers, academics with activists — creating dialogue that is fresh, relevant, and impactful. These conversations are not staged as mere add-ons but as integral to the festival’s mission of sparking social change.

Notable guests and speakers have included internationally recognised figures across sectors — from parliamentarians and policy influencers to renowned authors, doctors, and spiritual leaders. Each brings their perspective to the festival’s mission: to explore truth, pursue justice, and embody love in action.

As the festival enters its 19th year, it continues to push boundaries. The upcoming edition features headline-making discussions on Palestine, with voices such as Jeremy Corbyn MP and Dr. Gabor Maté joining the opening night, reflecting the festival’s unwavering commitment to exploring the stories behind the headlines and the humanity often overlooked in polarising debates.

With its growing presence in both London and Miami, I Will Tell is expanding its global footprint while remaining grounded in its founding ethos: that stories have the power to transform individuals, communities, and nations. By curating films that matter and conversations that count, the festival embodies its name — boldly declaring: I will tell.

For journalists, the festival offers multiple story angles: the intersection of film and activism, the role of faith in justice, global cultural exchange, grassroots community engagement, and the power of independent cinema to challenge dominant narratives. It is a rare blend of art and advocacy, entertainment and enlightenment, truth and transformation.

As the world grapples with conflict, inequality, and division, the I Will Tell International Film Festival stands as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling to bridge divides and ignite hope. It is not only a celebration of cinema but a clarion call to see, to listen, and ultimately — to act.