Forward
as one
Our categories
Forward Film & Television Festival has a category for anybody & everybody in the filmmaking & t.v. community.
From new & emerging filmmakers, to established international artists, horror films, comedy films, documentaries, music videos and animation; summer in Birmingham, U.K. will be a celebration of all things on screen.
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Put your films forward now.
Our prices
Making films can be an expensive pursuit, so getting your films seen shouldn't be. Our prices have been designed to be competitive with other comparable festivals and in many cases, cheaper. With earlybird prices, special event discounts and free entry to technical categories for qualifying films, it's never been more affordable to put your films forward.​
Our venues
Forward Film & Television Festival has been created by members of the creative community, & as such - we are committed to collaborating with the wider Birmingham community to provide an inclusive, wide-reaching festival. Our venues will not only be connected with the festival because of their location, they will also share our vision, ethos & hopes for a better connected creative culture.
Our mission
Our mission is layered, but simple. We want to connect creative communities, celebrate film & television, platform new voices & contribute to cultural & economic development in our home city. Forward Film & Television Festival is not just about screenings, it's about networking, it's about sharing knowledge and best practice, it's about pathways & it's about moving forward.
Our films
Official selections for Forward Film & Television Festival will all receive a laurel to display on their promotional material, nominees will receive specific category laurels & have a chance of winning one of our awards. All of the films selected for the festival will be carefully considered. But what do we look for? Well, we want to see potential, promise & vision. We want to see craft, originality & heart. We want to be taken on a journey through a story & feel something when the credits roll.
Our judges
Our judges will share our passion for cinema & television. They will be carefully selected for their interest & knowledge of all things on screen & for their appreciation of the craft. No judge will be personally affiliated with or involved with any of the films they are asked to judge & the panel will be transparent & articulate in their final selections. Each year, Forward Film & Television Festival will seek out a new panel of independent judges ensuring that the festival remains fair, inclusive & reflective of the creative community it serves.
Our events
More than simply screenings, Forward Film & Television Festival will deliver a range of events with the intention of bringing new, emerging & established creatives together. From industry panels, to special social events; Forward Film & Television Festival will put you forward.
Our pitch
We want to connect with, collaborate with & develop alongside organisations & individuals that share the same vision of us. Increased opportunity, visibility & cultural connection. If you're somebody who is interested in aligning with Forward Film & Television Festival, you can download our detailed pitch deck below and hopefully, we'll be putting Birmingham forward together.
Our team
Forward Film & Television Festival was set up by part of a team of individuals all with a wealth of experience & connections within the creative industries. All of us have a passion for Film, T.V., Birmingham & opportunities. From The Mockingbird Cinema, to the Royal Television Society Award Winning Networking event Reel Brum - our festival directors have creative cohesive communities at the very forefront of their work.
2025 award winners
Check out the full list of our 2025 award winners
Best Short Film
Ice Cream Headache
Dir. Benjamin K. Dyson
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Best Horror Short
Nervous Ellie
Dir. David Yorke
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Best Editing
Björn Wahlström
C:\>Format
Best Director
Ellie Hodgetts & Aymeric Nicolet
Fairview Park
Best SFX/Make Up
Amrita Mudan
Daniel's Room
Best West Midlands Actor
Candice Palladino
C'mon
Best Feature Film
Mayfly
Dir. Matthew Vivian
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Best Comedy Short
No Worries if Not
Dir. Emma Hodgkinson
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Best Documentary
City of Cars
Dir. Sarah Chandler
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Best T.V. Episode/Pilot
Wonderseekers
Dir. Michele Lanubile
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Best Cinematography
Best Lead Actor
Lou Murrall
Brothers​
​Denis Grindel
Fairview Park
Best West Midlands Film
Daniel's Room
Dir. Jack Richardson
Best Emerging Filmmaker
Skate
Dir. Elliot Johns
Best Animation
The Big Bad Wolf
Dir. Leo Wright
Best Music Video
Wait in the Car
Dir. Damien Hyde
Best Short Screenplay
Beached
Written by Oisin Tymon
Best Feature Screenplay
Walker's Game
Written by Luke Ollerton
Best T.V. Script
Dead Romantic
Written by Katy Lynam