Brighton Rocks International Film Festival (BRIFF) is a young festival with big ambition – to become the UK’s main festival for indie and underground cinema. The city of Brighton is a mecca for artists and creatives from all walks of life. It is also a state of mind, an attitude, a spirit: one that dares to be itself.

If your film embodies our ideals and aspirations, we want to help it get the recognition it deserves! When you submit to Brighton Rocks, we pledge that your film will be reviewed by professionals with TLC. We aim to inform you of Official Selection status within one month of each submission window deadline.

The 2nd Annual Screening Event will be held at Brighton’s Dukes @ KOMEDIA Cinema and sister venues on 14-15 June 2018. Workshops and talks will be held for festival goers earlier in the day. Attendees will also be invited to discuss their films in a social setting in Brighton.

Please go to www.brightonrocks.org for more information.

FYI, Brighton is a place like no other. It is . . .

• the most popular seaside destination in the UK.
• the setting of some of the UK’s best films, such as Brighton Rock and Quadrophenia.
• home to a thriving music, theatre and arts scene.
• home to the UK’s biggest LGBTQ scene outside of London.
• represented by the UK’s only Green Member of Parliament.

Awards & Prizes

• There will be one BEST SHORT FILM.
• 14 Category Winners (SHORTS) are guaranteed a FESTIVAL SCREENING.
BEST ANIMATION
BEST ART HOUSE FILM
BEST BRIGHTON FILMMAKER
BEST COMEDY
BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)
BEST DRAMA
BEST FANTASY/HORROR/SCI-FI
BEST INDIE/LOW-BUDGET SHORT
BEST LGBTQ FILM
BEST MICRO MOVIE
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
BEST PHONE MOVIE
BEST NOIR-THRILLER
BEST STUDENT FILM
• There will be one BEST FEATURE FILM
• There will be one BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
• Additional Awards for:
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
CINEMATOGRAPHY
DIRECTOR
EDITING
ORIGINAL SCORE
SCREENPLAY
SPECIAL EFFECTS

FINALISTS will be announced on 15 May and WINNERS on 31 May 2019. BEST FILM and all other awards will be revealed on 15 June 2019 at the Screening Event.

Rules & Terms

BRIGHTON ROCKS accepts narrative, documentary and experimental films, music videos, micro, short and feature films.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
Production must have been completed after 1 January 2016.
There is no limit on the number of submissions.
All films must have an online screener.
Filmmakers retain the rights to their films.
Filmmakers are responsible for acquiring copyrights, licenses and releases for media used in their films.
By submitting their film, filmmakers gives Brighton Rocks the right to post their posters, trailers, website and social media links on our website.
Brighton Rocks reserves the right to move films into categories different from the one(s) submitted to.

RULES REGARDING CATEGORY SUBMISSIONS

"Brighton Filmmaker" - director must live or have a demonstrable connection with the city OR the submitted film must be set in Brighton. All genres eligible.
"Indie (low or no budget)" means less than £2000.
"Phone Movies" must consist of 75% phone footage.
"Micro Movies" must have a runtime of less than 4 minutes, including credits.
"Student Films" must have a director and at least one other crew member in full-time education.​
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lois Norman

    She Is Juiced won Best Documentary at this festival and what a breath of fresh air this festival was! Intelligent, Creative and Inclusive, with great conversations and sharing of experiences set up for discussion! James is a class act and I hope to submit more films to his great vision as I make them! Thank you James, Brighton Rocks and Brighton...always a soft spot in my heart...Lois

    August 2018
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  • John Rees

    What really makes Brighton Rocks stand out from other festivals is its dedication to the needs of the filmmakers. Their communication prior to the festival was faultless, always replying to emails promptly and politely (something widely lacking in other festivals). The same level of friendliness and consideration was shown during the festival, starting off with a roundtable discussion about how the festival (and the local film community) can improve, then during the screenings (at an excellent location with a top quality screen), then on into the awards and networking, the Brighton Rocks team made every effort to make you feel welcome, involved, and make sure all your needs were catered to. Thanks to its friendly atmosphere and impeccable professionalism, I will undoubtedly be submitting to Brighton Rocks next year and hopefully for years to come and will be recommending it highly to other filmmakers!

    July 2018
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  • Lisa Fulthorpe

    Great new festival in Brighton

    June 2018
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  • Katie Garibaldi

    Unfortunately, I was not able to attend, but the fest had great communication all the way through and made the awards results very exciting with a Facebook live video. So I felt like I was a part of the festivities even though I couldn't make the actual screening. Honored to have won Best Music Video for my music video "Delightful"! Thanks to Brighton Rocks for all the support!

    June 2018
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  • Marc Pearce

    Excellent communication and prompt updates.

    June 2018
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