The Pompeywood Film Festival returns for another year! Pompeywood is to highlight the work of independent, low or no budget, filmmakers in Portsmouth, Hampshire, the UK, and across the world. The principal focus of the festival is within the Horror genre and for short films (under 15 minutes) but also invites submissions for awards for other genres including science fiction, drama, and comedy.

The format of the event will be a screening before a live public audience and will include screenings each day of selected short films, question and answer panels with filmmakers cast and crew, two feature films, and networking opportunities.

The Inaugural Festival in 2022 has been financially supported by HB Films Ltd. For transparency, the FilmFreeway submission fees covered the cost of the Awards, with the setup costs of the event (approximately GBP 725 / USD 920) being covered by HB Films Ltd. The Festival's grateful thanks to the sponsor for enabling the Festival's first year.

Awards & Prizes

The Short Film Competition is for films no longer than 15 minutes in either Horror or Non-Horror genre categories.

Short Film Awards will be made for the following categories:
- Best Horror Film
- Best Non-Horror Film
- Best Actor
- Best Story
- Best Cinematography
- Best Director
- Best Make Up
- Best Score
- Best Trailer
- Audience Award

Awards were presented on Sunday 17th September 2023 prior to a repeat screening of the Best Horror Film followed by special feature screening
Trailers entered to the Trailer Competition will be used to select feature films to be invited to screen at the Festival. An award will also be given for Best Trailer.

2022 Award Winners

Best Horror Film: The Microscope
(Runner up: Witchy Woman)

Best Non Horror Film: Back Seat Driver
(Runner up: Kajurburbia)

Best Director: Jake Balfour-Lynn for Back Seat Driver
(Runner up: Elliot and Reuben Vick for The Microscope)

Best Acting Performance: Perry Benson in Back Seat Driver
(Runner up: Jane MacDowell in Neonate)

Best Cinematography: The Microscope
(Runner up: Witchy Woman)

Best Makeup: Witchy Woman
(Runner up: The Microscope)

Best Score: All You Can Eat
(Runner up: The Microscope)

Best Story: All You Can Eat
(Runner up: The Microscope)

Best Trailer: A Town Full of Ghosts
(Runner up: Hysterica)

The Audience Award, selected by the audience present at the screening, was presented to Gavin Irvine for his film Daddy's Note.

Rules & Terms

Entries to the Short Film Competition will be limited to a length of 15 minutes. Entries to the Trailer Competition will be limited to a length of 3 minutes.

Films can be in either Horror or Non-Horror genres.

Films can be of any age (no limits on date of production or release) and can be of any rating or unrated.

All short films will be considered by the judging panel against all Award categories (other than the Audience Award which will be selected based on audience votes during the screening).

Films can be submitted to other Festivals or be available on-line elsewhere or have any form of distribution.

The Festival is underwritten by HB Films Ltd and managed by TrashArts Portsmouth. This allows the Festival to not be reliant on a certain level of income to achieve its intended aim: to recognise and reward good quality, no budget, filmmaking.

Income for the Festival will come from short film submission fees which will be kept low to encourage entries. No fees will be charged for trailers to be submitted and feature films will be invited to submit for screening with no charge being made for screening. Income will also be derived by the Theatre hosting the Festival.

Expenses of the Festival will include the provision of Trophies for the main Award categories together with the costs of securing the screening location and limited local advertising. There will not be any allowance for any expenses incurred by selected filmmakers, cast, or crew who may be selected from screening.
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Danielle Nicole

    Awesome experience with this festival!

    October 2022
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  • Jake Balfour-Lynn

    Great communication and nice physical awards for the lucky ones! :)

    October 2022
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  • Brit Tobin

    Thank you so much for selecting our trailer! Very cool festival, great variety of films and voices-- We'll definitely be submitting with Pompeywood again!

    October 2022
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