Brighton Rocks International Film Festival (BRIFF) is proud to showcase some of the most diverse, original and boundary-pushing films being made today. The festival is Brighton’s main forum for independent cinema.

Brighton is a renowned hub 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, we will help it get the recognition it deserves! When you submit to Brighton Rocks, we pledge that your film will be reviewed with tender loving care. Our primary concern is how best to curate and screen your work.

**BRIFF is a BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) Qualifying Festival**

The 8th Annual Festival will take place over six days (24 - 29 June 2025) at Dukes at Komedia Picturehouse Cinema and the Manchester Street Arts Club in Kemptown. In addition to screenings, attendees will enjoy networking sessions, talks by industry professionals and the chance to socialise with fellow filmmakers in Brighton. Please see our website (www.rocksfestivals.com/screenings) for more information.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS will be notified on or before 24 May 2025.
The SCREENING SCHEDULE will be published on 1 June 2025.
WINNERS will be revealed at the Festival 24 - 29 June 2025
Selected filmmakers will be invited to screen on LATEST TV after the festival.

Brighton Rocks 7th Festival (20-25 June 2024) screened approximately 200 films, receiving funding and support from the British Film Institute (BFI) and MET Film School. Our previous Guests of Honour have included directors Ben Wheatley, Tim Pope and Wiz, screenwriter William Nicholson, and actors Amit Shah, Patrick Bergin & Jenny Runacre.

FYI, Brighton is a place like no other. It is . . .
• home to the UK’s biggest LGBTQIA+ community outside of London.
• 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.
• famed for its eco-friendly living & cafés and restaurants.

Awards & Prizes

• There will be Winners & Runners-Up in each category:
ANIMATION, COMEDY, COMEDY-HORROR, DOCUMENTARY (SHORT & FEATURE), DRAMA, EXPERIMENTAL FILM, FEATURE FILM, HORROR, LGBTQIA+ FILM, MICRO-BUDGET FILM, MICRO MOVIE, MUSIC VIDEO, SCIENCE FICTION, STUDENT FILM, THRILLER, WOMEN ROCK
• Additional Awards for:
CINEMATOGRAPHY, DIRECTOR, EDITING, MISE EN SCENE, ORIGINAL SCORE, PERFORMANCE (4 awards), SCREENPLAY, SOUND DESIGN, VISUAL EFFECTS, YOUNG PERFORMANCE (2 awards)
The YOUNG ACE FILMMAKER AWARD will go to the most promising Brighton-based filmmaker under the age of 25.
The SPIRIT OF BRIGHTON AWARD is presented to filmmakers whose work most embodies progressive and egalitarian ideas.

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.
Productions must have been completed after 1 January 2021.
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

"Made in Brighton" - at least 2 scenes must be set/filmed in Brighton. All genres eligible.
"Micro Budget Film" requires a production budget of less than £1500.
"Micro Movies" must have a runtime of less than 4 minutes, including credits.
"Student Films" must have at least 2 crew members in full-time education.​
"Women Rock" submissions must have an all-female or gender nonconforming cast OR women or gender nonconforming filmmakers in 2 or more of the following positions: director, producer, writer, cinematographer, editor.
"Young Performance Awards" - performers must be 16 years old or younger.
139 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Camila Basora-Oliveira

    An excellent selections of films and a very hight standard of curatorship. Very welcoming and accessible to filmmakers, with comped tickets for filmmakers and discounted tickets for friends and family. Film reviews and interviews with the filmmakers are both available on their blog and it's a great way to get the word out about your work.

    October 2024
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  • Sam Topley

    Had an amazing few days at Brighton this year. James, Sarah & team made a really fun and open atmosphere across both venues. RECOMMEND.

    October 2024
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  • James Oates

    Cannot recommend Brighton highly enough. The comms throughout were great and even though we didn't get Official Selection, as an Honorable Mention, we were given the chance to screen our film online and potentially have more in person screenings throughout the year. This gives filmmakers the best possible platform to showcase their work! Will definitely be submitting again!

    August 2024
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  • Umnia El-Neil

    Absolutely amazing festival, facilitating a fantastic programme both In-person and Online. I was introduced to so many amazing other filmmakers in the Online Programme and their films and passion was unrivalled. Thanks for having DOPAMINE!

    July 2024
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  • Festival Formula

    A festival that's on the coast will always have that charm (and battle) to provide something special to compete with the seaside view... And Brighton Rocks does just that. With a jam-packed programme ranging from genre to format and everything in between, you'd be hard pushed to find something you didn't like.

    One area that we know made a big difference, was the kindness of the team. They even prepared a PDF to list all the local places they recommended into specific headers - a must for anyone who hasn't been to the area. It's only small but it was a concerted effort on the very friendly team's side.

    We were fortunate enough that between the in-person and special online screenings to have 40 clients selected. These ranged from debut to seasoned pro filmmakers, small budget to large budget, every genre, and more. We recommend submitting here for sure!

    July 2024
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