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 2023 screened 66 short films and 6 feature films to over 500 attendees. The comedian Jo Brand hosted our awards ceremony and gave a Q&A following the screening of her acclaimed indie film "The More You Ignore Me." The next edition of the festival will take place 12-14 April 2024 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.

Awards & Prizes

• OFFICIAL SELECTIONS are given a FESTIVAL SCREENING 14-16 April 2024.
• 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 14-16 April 2024 at the festival.

Rules & Terms

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.
30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Shaun Munro

    As a very nervous first time filmmaker, Hastings Rocks was a wonderfully welcoming place to show my first h short, BREAKFAST. The Printworks is a fun, quirky screening venue and James was very helpful with answering my technical questions before the screening. The atmosphere was very encouraging and positive which helped make it a great night.

    I would submit future projects to this fest without hesitation.

    April 2024
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  • Gregory Nice

    Brilliant festival in Hastings to a sell out crowd. Was awesome to see out small movie play on a big screen. The team was excellent and super supportive, the festival vibe was inclusive and diverse. All round a great weekend!

    May 2023
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  • Andrew McCann

    Can't recommend this festival enough! A great weekend of films and Q&As across some really cool venues. Rocks festivals are definitely a home for films that would be black sheep (in all the right ways) at other festivals, always surprised by what the line up offers and never disappointed by the events the Rocks team put together. Enter and attend these festivals, you won't regret it!

    April 2023
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  • Steven Lancefield

    Excellent time at Hastings Rocks. Brilliant and friendly organisers, and an eclectic, engaging and sometimes quirky set of films on view! Very excited to receive Best Fantasy Runner Up award for my film "Museum Piece" from Jo Brand herself! Highly recommended

    April 2023
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  • Greg Newdick

    Had a great day out in Hastings for this festival. It was well-organised in a scenic venue. Looking forward to the next one

    April 2023
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