The Return of Hertfordshire Film Festival

Hertfordshire Film Festival is back on the big screen! The Festival returns in April 2025 to provide an unmissable opportunity for young filmmakers to create and showcase their work at Watford Palace Theatre. Work will be selected by a selection panel of industry professionals and previous editions of the Festival have seen talks and masterclasses from leading film and TV industry figures alongside panel discussions and workshops.

The Festival once again partners with Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, University of Hertfordshire, Watford Borough Council, creative arts organisation CathARTtic and Watford Palace Theatre to give young people aged 11-25 who live, work or study in Hertfordshire the chance to share their work with a wider audience.

Submitted work will be shortlisted to screen over the two days with two prize winners also being selected by the selection panel. The prize for the best film from the 11-17 age category will be an industry screening at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter. 18-25 year old prize winners will also receive an industry screening at the studios plus lunch with Dan Dark, Executive Vice President Warner Bros. Studio Operations, on his next UK visit.

In collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire and CathARTic, the Festival will also run a skills development workshop in early January 2024 aimed at underrepresented filmmakers in the Hertfordshire area. More details on the workshop and other Festival community and industry elements will follow in due course.

Submissions are free via the Festival website and FilmFreeway and will open early next year.

James Williams, Associate Director of Watford Palace Theatre has said: ‘Hertfordshire Film Festival is back, and Watford Palace Theatre is delighted to be a platform for young filmmakers showcasing their creative talents. Over the next two years, the Festival plans to support the development of key skills as well as signposting opportunities and pathways into the county’s thriving film and wider creative industries.’

Emily Stillman, SVP Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, commented: ‘The Festival is a great way for local filmmakers to showcase their skills and Warner Bros. is delighted to recognise emerging talent. Previous entries have shown incredible aptitude and I’m excited to watch this year’s entries.’

Maria Todesco and Nicky Day, Co-Founders and Directors of CathARTic have said: ‘We are thrilled to be a partner of the Hertfordshire Film Festival. The last Festival provided so many young, talented and passionate film makers with the opportunity to professionally showcase their incredible work. We introduced young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities into the film-making process and having the opportunity to showcase their talents and films built so much confidence in not only their abilities, but in themselves, so we are over-the-moon we can continue to build upon that!’

Dr Stephen Partridge, Dean of the School of Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire, commented: ‘As we coordinate efforts to provide ever more compelling career opportunities to the people of Hertfordshire, the Film Festival represents the perfect opportunity to celebrate the creative work of young people across the county. The context for this celebration of film, bringing partners together from industry and education with targeted Council support, further enables local residents to benefit from opportunities concentrated within this region.’

Inna Allen, Head of UH Arts + Culture, University of Hertfordshire, said: ‘We are delighted to support the Hertfordshire Film Festival again, giving visibility to the incredible young talent emerging into the industry.’

More information can be found at www.hertsfilmfest.co.uk.