Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2026

The 2026 edition of the Fighting Spirit Film Festival takes place this year between 4-6 September at the new location of East London’s Rio Cinema. This year’s lineup includes a screening of the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic, Bloodsport, recent Hong Kong box office hit, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Mexicali from debut director (and stunt veteran) Luke LaFontaine and starring Bren Foster, and much more. Check the full schedule for further details.

Now in its 11th year, I’ve been on the awards jury since the beginning, and I always enjoy seeing the work of new and promising young filmmakers from around the world.

I will also be taking part in a free panel talk on Sunday titled 'Late Night At The Rio - The Kung Fu Years' which delves into the history and legacy of late night kung fu cinema at this historic venue. The Rio is Hackney’s leading independent cinema, which has been screening films since 1909, and became a hub for late night action, horror, cult and kung fu cinema in the 1970’s. Established as a community-led charity in 1976, they still hold a very impressive archive, which we’ll be drawing on during our discussion.

About the festival:

Through martial arts cinema we aim to entertain and inspire people, promote martial arts culture, and support those who have chosen it as a career. We hope that by making this an annual event that it will help create a stronger market for martial arts and action films, support and grow the legacy of films in the genre gone before and continue to entertain, inspire, amaze and enlighten audiences.

Tickets are available now from Eventbrite or at the official festival website.