Brighton Rocks 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. You will be informed of Official Selection status within one month of submission.

The Annual Screening Event will be held at Brighton’s KOMEDIA Cinema in the dynamic North Laine district on 25 May 2018, coinciding with the Brighton Festival. 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.
• There will be one BEST FEATURE FILM (FICTION).
• 16 Category Winners receive a FESTIVAL SCREENING.
BEST ANIMATION
BEST ART HOUSE FILM
BEST BRIGHTON FILM
BEST COMEDY
BEST DOCUMENTARY
BEST DRAMA
BEST FANTASY
BEST HORROR
BEST INDIE SHORT
BEST LGBTQ FILM
BEST MICRO MOVIE
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
BEST PHONE MOVIE
BEST NOIR-THRILLER
BEST SCI-FI
BEST STUDENT FILM
• Additional Awards for:
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
CINEMATOGRAPHY
DIRECTOR
EDITING
ORIGINAL SCORE
SCREENPLAY
SPECIAL EFFECTS

Category Finalists will be announced on 15 April and Winners on 1 May. The Best Short & Best Feature films and all other awards will be revealed on 25 May 2018 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 2015.
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 Films" must have two scenes or more filmed in Brighton. All genres eligible.
"Indie (low or no budget)" means less than 2500 USD.
"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.​
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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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  • Maryam Haddadi

    Glad to screening sALTO at Brighton Rocks. All the best.

    June 2018
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  • Jeff Vande Zande

    I wasn't able to attend, but the communication was superb ... including a chance to improve the audio editing on one of my shorts and resubmitting for free. Even though I wasn't able to attend, I did feel like I did some networking and even made a film friend!

    June 2018
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  • Hill Burton

    A great festival on its first time running. It overran but had a contingency plan and was a great atmosphere overall. Good venue for the screenings. The Festival Director really cared about all present including his volunteer staff and hopefully we will back next year.

    June 2018
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