HASTINGS ROCKS is home to independent films that push boundaries across all genres, fiction or non-fictional. In keeping with the UK seaside town’s culture and history, we especially welcome works that explore esoteric, mystical, noir and horror themes, as well as films that are made in Hastings.

HASTINGS ROCKS 2024 screened 80 short films and 5 feature films to over 500 attendees. Our jury has been presided over by an array of talented filmmakers with a connection to Hastings, notably the comedian Jo Brand, actor Madeline Smith (Live and Let Die, The Vampire Lovers) and actor/director Bindu de Stoppani (The Beach, 28 Days Later, Jump).

The next edition of the festival will take place 11-13 April 2025 at the PRINTWORKS, a unique arts space in the old Hastings Observer building off the cyberpunk-esque Gotham Alley, often used in film productions.

HASTINGS ROCKS and its sister festival BRIGHTON ROCKS showcase emerging and established filmmaking talent from around the world and aim to create a platform for original voices from all walks of life. If your film embodies our ideals and aspirations, we will help it get the recognition it deserves.

FYI, HASTINGS is fast becoming one of the premier sites in the UK for film and television production. It is a coven of creatives, filmmakers and musicians from all walks of life. Many have come over from Brighton and down from London, but the town’s unique identity has been forged over the course of more than a thousand years of history. As every schoolchild knows, the Battle of Hastings in 1066 saw the demise of King Harold, the Norman invasion and the birth of modern England. Gangs of smugglers have inhabited a maze of ancient cliffside caves since the Middle Ages. The town was made into a bustling resort by the Victorians, who built splendid – now decaying – Gothic buildings, while sadly allowing poverty and disease to run riot. The occultist Aleister Crowley spent his final year here, allegedly casting a spell on the town prohibiting those born in Hastings from leaving. Today, Hastings is famed for its vibrant May Day festivities, Jack in the Green, Fat Tuesday and Bonfire Night. We're sure that you'll find Hastings to be the perfect backdrop to share your film with fellow artists.

• OFFICIAL SELECTIONS are given a FESTIVAL SCREENING 11-13 April 2025.
• There will be WINNERS in each of the following categories:
ANIMATION
COMEDY
COMEDY-HORROR
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
DRAMA
EXPERIMENTAL FILM
FANTASY
HORROR
FEATURE FILM (FICTION)
LGBTQ+ FILM
MADE IN HASTINGS
MICRO-BUDGET FILM
MICRO MOVIE
MUSIC VIDEO
SCIENCE-FICTION
STUDENT FILM
• Additional Awards for:
CINEMATOGRAPHY
DIRECTOR
EDITING
MISE-EN-SCENE
ORIGINAL SCORE
PERFORMANCE (4 awards)
SCREENPLAY
SOUND DESIGN
VISUAL EFFECTS
YOUNG PERFORMANCE (2 awards)
SPIRIT OF HASTINGS

SELECTIONS will be announced on/before 15 March and WINNERS on 11-13 April 2025 at the festival.

HASTINGS 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 2020.
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 Hastings 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 Hastings" - at least 2 scenes must be set/filmed in Hastings. All genres eligible.
"Micro Budget Film" requires a production budget of less than £1000.
"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.
"Young Performance" - actors must be under 16 years of age.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tom Ward-Thomas

    What a wonderful festival to be a part of. A great range of films and met a lovely bunch of people. We were delighted to win Best LGBTQ+ drama as well so an added bonus. Thank you so much to James and Sarah and the rest of the team for having us.

    April 2025
  • Wonderful festival with a really diverse mix of films highlighting the quality of established and emerging talent. The Hastings Rocks team were incredibly helpful and so quick to respond to requests for more info. We were honoured to receive an honourable mention and to be included in the online festival. Will definitely be supporting them in the future.

    April 2025
  • Keeley Walter

    I’m truly honoured that Avocado Heart Girl received an Honourable Mention at Hastings Rock. It means so much to have the film recognised in such a vibrant and inspiring festival. A huge thank you to the organisers for their professionalism and passion and for creating such a welcoming and supportive space for filmmakers. I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of it!

    April 2025
  • Andrea Mae Perez

    Thank you James, Sarah, and the entire team and Hastings Rocks, for selecting Rat King as part of your great festival and for awarding it as Best Comedy-Horror short! It has been an absolute joy of an experience from beginning to end. Great communication, a very warm event full of high quality films, an extremely interesting talk by artist Andrew Kotting and a fun audience. Can't wait to apply again!

    April 2025
  • Kate Auster

    Huge thanks to the organisers of Hastings Rocks Film Festival - James Rowlins, Sarah Smith & Samuel Rose for putting together such a beautifully curated programme. The selection of films was genuinely impressive: diverse stories from a brilliant mix of filmmakers, all shown in an intimate venue that created the perfect atmosphere. Every screening had a great crowd, which made the whole experience feel buzzing and communal.
    It was such a joy to be surrounded by such a lovely, generous bunch of filmmakers - so much talent and warmth in one place. If I had one small wish, it would be for an organised mixer or social – just to have the chance to meet even more of the amazing people behind the work. But overall, it was a truly inspiring, welcoming weekend, and we left feeling creatively recharged. Can’t wait for next year.

    April 2025