THE HORSHAM FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2026 – NOW IN ITS EIGHTH YEAR AND ONCE AGAIN PARTNERING WITH THE EVERYMAN CINEMA IN HORSHAM FOR THE AWARDS NIGHT!
2025 saw a record number of entries for Horsham Film Festival and another sold-out Awards Night, held at the Everyman Cinema in Horsham and the whole event was once again supported by industry talent and local educational talent to help judge the entries and local businesses keen to support the filmmakers of the future.
HFF – as those in the know call it – celebrates not only local, West Sussex based talent but also looks further afield to celebrate films from ALL OVER THE UK.
We want to see films from everyone – whether you are a filmmaker who has already won awards at other film festivals or a first-time filmmaker looking to start developing your skills, we want to see your film!
We don’t care what you shoot on, how much you spend or where you film – we aren’t judging based around equipment quality or technical expertise. We want to see and experience good stories first and foremost. Of course we consider shots, editing, acting and so on as part of the judging process but your film will not be looked down upon if you have shot it on your phone rather than Blackmagic gear!
The Festival hosts 4 categories for both Over 18s and Students (whether they’re under 18 or still in education), each with their own award:
Best Drama
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Comedy
The event also hosts a special category called the ‘Your District Award’. This is for film makers that have used the Horsham District in their entries, whether it’s use of the local environment, local actors or something that links the entry to our home district! You can enter your film into both a standard category and the ‘Your Horsham District Award’ if the entry criteria is met.
Please note – the other four categories CAN have films made ANYWHERE in the UK entered into them. They are NOT exclusively for West Sussex made/set films.
Our festival judges this year are still being lined up but include Silvertip Films’ founder Geoff Cockwill and Rebecca Moon – Head of Creative Digital Media Production at Collyer’s College, Horsham and Stuart Andrews – Head of Film Studies at Collyers College, Horsham.
So – show us your stories, show us your world, show us your imagination and make sure you enter for this year’s event – read on for ALL the festival details and keep up to date with us on social media throughout the year for more news on the 2026 Awards Night!
But before that event, we need to get some films in!
To enter a film just go through the FilmFreeway submission process HERE! Entry fees are listed on the website.
Visit our dedicated HFF Instagram page HERE
Take a look below to see videos from past Awards Night dating all the way back to 2019!
Contact us to find out more about the Horsham Film Festival, discuss sponsorship opportunities or special film screenings – [email protected]
The 2024 Horsham Film Festival team: Elodie Davies from Silvertip Films, show presenter Emily Beach, Geoff Cockwill from Silvertip Films, judge and Collyer’s College tutors Stuart Andrews and Rebecca Moon and video presenter Esme Todd. Photography by Sophie Ward.