That’s a wrap on the Horsham Film Festival for 2024 and what a way to celebrate independent, and local, filmmaking talent!
Year on year, Horsham Film Festival continues to grow, supporting and championing filmmakers particularly from within the West Sussex area as well as further afield. These filmmakers range from experienced to those just starting out. We entertain bigger audiences, develop bonds with local businesses and celebrate film in general!
As with previous years, our shortlisted films fell into four categories – Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Animation and Best Documentary – with each category being lose enough to showcase a wide range of genres and topics within each category. Plus we once again had the Your District category which celebrates films made in, and about, the West Sussex area.
Partnering with the Everyman Cinema in Horsham for the third year in a row enables us to showcase our shortlisted, and winning films, to an audience in a plush, gorgeous cinema and give the Festival a feel like few others.
As with 2023, our judging panel this year included Pete Levy – producer on Doctor Who and Casualty and Rebecca Moon and Stuart Andrews from the media and film department at Collyer’s College in Horsham.
Judges Stuart Andrews and Rebecca Moon
2024 saw us hold three screenings to showcase each shortlisted film in full, as well as special screenings of the Shrouded in Silence documentary about end of life care, curated by West Sussex based Whistlestop Arts and the CHEV documentary about the rising boxing talent, made by our friends at ShotNStrung Films.
The festival closed with a sold-out Awards Night which featured all winning films played in full, alongside lively hosting from Emily Beach and guest spots from our sponsors and judges as well as Geoff Cockwill and Elodie Davies from Silvertip Films.
Geoff Cockwill and Elodie Davies from Silvertip Films
The soon-to-be-released promotional video of the night was presented by Esme Todd who spoke to many winners, judges and sponsors on the night.
Show host Emily Beach and Video Presenter Esme Todd
As with previous years, we were sponsored by a number of local and national businesses whose support brought the event to life. Thanks to…
Breathe HR, Woodstock IT, Major Mind Games, T21 Group, Seofon Business Solutions, xHeight Design, Blue Billboards and the Sussex Film Office and Visit Horsham
Our winning films were…
BEST DRAMA – “The Edenbound”. Sci-fi thrills directed by Andrew McGee
STUDENT BEST DRAMA – “Leave Me” Creepy vibes directed by George Levy
BEST STUDENT ANIMATION – “Skrogg and the Fireflies” Heartwarming fun directed by Laura Page
BEST STUDENT COMEDY – “Undercurrent” Comedically tinged drama, directed by Daniel Booroff
BEST DOCUMENTARY – “Grandad’s Workshop” Heartwarming biography directed by Will Chidlow
BEST STUDENT DOCUMENTARY – “Dissecting Dyslexia” Moving subject matter, directed by Sparks Hove students
YOUR DISTRICT – “The Lost Legend” Epic and intimate sci-fi directed by Bence Nagy
STUDENT YOUR DISTRICT – “Duplicity” Romantic fun directed by Henry Medhurst
Student Your District Winner Henry Medhurst with family
Best Drama Winner Andrew McGee
Your District Winners Pigeon Productions
Elodie Davies from Silvertip Films, the organisers of the event, said:
“What an amazing evening, the Horsham Film Festival keeps getting better and better! We had an overload of filmmakers showing off their talents this year and it was incredible speaking to everyone about their filming journeys. As a young filmmaker, attending the Horsham Film Festival was a joyful experience and it lit the creative spark in me. Bring on HFF 2025!!”
Judge Stuart Andrews from Collyer’s College said of the event:
“It was such an honour to be invited to be part of the judging panel again this year. In my role as an educator, I meet so many aspiring Filmmakers and events like this are invaluable for them. They not only get to see their work on the big screen, but also to connect with other creative minds. There was so much talent on display this year, and the standard of work this year across all ages categories was so impressive”.”
Rebecca Moon from Collyers College said:
“What a magic evening to be part of, I’m so honoured. The talent and filmmaking has hit an all new high this year making it gruelling year for judging and a tough choice with just so many winners. Roll on next year and a huge shout out to all you budding film makers -just do it you won’t regret it!”
All photos taken by Sophie Ward Photos.