Essex International Film Festival Seeks Top Film Makers

The Essex International Film Festival, which takes place between 27 to 30 March 2025, is on the search for top film makers.

The festival is looking to highlight established movie makers, plus emerging talent from across the world. The organisers are also keen to find up-and-coming film makers and want to showcase under the radar talent as part of the event.

Lily Streames, founder of the Essex Film Collective and organiser of the festival, explains: "We're excited to showcase the film making talent within the UK and further afield. Essex has become a real hub for film makers thanks to its location close to the capital and its diverse settings from historic buildings to rural locations and a 350-mile coastline."

She continued: "Whether you make horror, drama, comedy, animation, whatever your genre, we would like to invite you to enter your film for a place within the Essex International Film Festival. It’s a wonderful chance for film makers to get their work seen and premiered in large-scale venues."

The very best short films – under 20 minutes – will secure a screening in major cinemas and venues across Essex. The judging panel includes influential industry figures such as Saul Dibb, who has directed Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy award-winning films. The best films in each category, from sci-fi to LGBTQ+ will also win awards. There will also be special awards for best actor, director, cinematographer and best short films. To enter, film makers must upload their films between now and 1 December 2024 to the Essex International Film Festival website.

Co-directing the festival is Southend born, Emmy nominated Hollywood director Iain B. MacDonald (Shameless, Poker Face, Shantaram). He said: "My career has taken me to Hollywood – but my love of film started here in Essex many years ago. Essex is a county that has always attracted incredible creativity and talent.

"We want you, the filmmakers and creatives – wherever you live in the world – to create and share your funny, dramatic, imaginative and thought-provoking stories with us and the wider film community."

www.essexinternationalfilmfestival.com