Basingstoke’s Exit 6 Film Festival has been spotlighting standout short films since 2016. They combine a love of craft with a proper festival atmosphere—complete with Q&As, masterclasses and awards. Friendly, accessible and filmmaker-run, it’s become a solid platform for new and established voices.

Helping the behind-the-scenes folks stay afloat, sane, and seen. They offer everything from mental health support to grants for when times are rough, plus a rolling list of industry funding, gigs, and events worth keeping an eye on.

Industry Opportunities and Events Listings

Film East blends slow criticism, bespoke screenings and smart conversation to help audiences see film - and the world - a little differently. Founded in Norwich and now operating on both sides of the Atlantic, they champion thoughtful cinema and the people who write, talk and care about it.

Born out of protest and fuelled by creativity, Fringe! is London’s long-running queer film and arts fest with a taste for the provocative, political, and experimental. Expect basement screenings, sweaty dancefloors, and unexpected gems – all on a budget and built by volunteers. Still proudly scrappy, still unapologetically queer.

FSTVS builds on the legacy of FESTIVUS, offering a space where animation professionals can come together to find work, share industry insights, and stay connected. It’s a growing community dedicated to supporting careers and fostering collaboration across the animation sector.

Register as animation crew

Think Sundance but with less snow and more Gaeilge. Galway Film Fleadh celebrates bold new cinema from Ireland and beyond, with prizes for Irish-language and first-time filmmakers, and a legendary industry marketplace for pitching and networking - usually over a pint.

Tucked away in Holborn, The Garden Cinema is an independent gem with an Art Deco soul. Since opening in 2022, it’s been quietly building a loyal audience for its smart, well-curated seasons - ranging from Poitier retrospectives to spontaneous tributes and bold political screenings. With three screens, two bars, and no corporate meddling, it’s a space that puts real cinema (and real conversation) first.

Long-running and grassroots, Indie Film Coop Manchester bring together local filmmakers, actors and creatives with monthly speed-networking nights at 53two, plus an annual screening and competition. They’ve recently launched a film support fund to help winners get their next project off the ground

IHS is a grassroots network for horror fans and makers who want to shape the future of indie horror together. They run a community-funded grant scheme, regular screenings, and a super fun 666 Film Challenge 0 and they’ve got space for everyone from fresh-out-the-grave filmmakers to seasoned pros.

Sign on to their free crew directory

At the heart of Iris Prize is a commitment to championing LGBTQ+ stories through film. Their Cardiff-based festival is a major platform for queer filmmakers, and home to a globally recognised short film prize. They also run a documentary fund that supports new LGBTQ+ work, backing fresh perspectives and helping important stories find their audience.

We owe a lot to Kickstarter. Behind the scenes, they've supported Shooting People for years, and out in the open, they've consistently backed independent film and filmmakers. Their annual Long Story Short initiative is a brilliant launchpad for short film projects, helping creators bring bold, imaginative work to life without gatekeepers. It’s hard to overstate how much they've done to give filmmakers the space -and backing- to get things made.

Kino London is an indie film collective with a strong DIY ethos and a real focus on access. They host an open mic screening night, run a short film fund (£5K plus kit rental), and their BIFA-qualifying short film festival has quickly earned a rep for being transparent, welcoming and well-curated. No silent void here—just actual communication and support.

LCVA digs into the grassroots video scene that exploded in London and the South East between 1969 and 1994, when early portable cameras gave communities the tools to tell their own stories. From housing estates to protest groups, the archive collects and preserves these rare and radical films, many made by people underrepresented in mainstream media. Alongside the digitised videos, they’ve gathered oral histories and run screenings and workshops to keep the conversation going.

London Migration Film Festival takes an activist-led approach to film, centring stories by and about migrants, refugees and displaced people. Run by the Migration Collective, the festival platforms both emerging and established filmmakers, and blends screenings with panels, workshops and performances. It’s less about film as art, more about film as a tool for connection, solidarity and political dialogue.

Let’s be honest - LSFF isn’t just another short film festival. It’s one of the few places that consistently makes room for the rough-edged, the rule-breakers and the genuinely original. They’re not afraid to programme stuff that’s messy or strange or made with no money, and that makes a real difference.