The Made in Sussex Film Festival is where bold stories, breakout talent, and hometown pride collide. Hosted at the acclaimed Depot Cinema in Lewes, this is a festival for filmmakers who want their work seen on the big screen — in front of an audience that knows the streets, towns, and places they came from.

We champion films made in Sussex or by Sussex creatives, celebrating not just great cinema, but the communities that shaped it.

Submissions for Made in Sussex 2026 open 9th May.

Andrew McGee

Best Director 2025
The Captain - Jamie Patterson

Best Narrative Feature 2025
The Forest in Me - Rebecca Marshall

Best Documentary Feature - 2025
The Waiter, the Scientist and Jenny - Joe Snelling

Best Short Film
Seb Cox - The Dog in the Long Grass

Made in Sussex Creativity Award

What People Are Saying

“Made in Sussex is an absolutely fantastic festival. By filmmakers, for filmmakers. Such an incredible event to be a part of. The selection of films was exceptional, and the networking fantastic. This was my favourite festival to have been a part of, and the Depot Cinema is a wonderful venue. I thoroughly recommend to any Sussex-based filmmakers, or anyone who has shot at least some of their film in the area. It's not often you can say a festival is perfect, but this one really is.”

— James Card

“Our first film festival by which we entered a documentary... and we got included, out of hundreds of entries - which was amazing. The festival was really well run and sponsored with some amazing prizes. The networking after was impressive too, with passes only for film makers which all felt very V.I.P. Communication was spot on and we were made to feel very welcome and comfortable.”

— Daniel Satchell

“Made in Sussex is a truly brilliant festival - created by filmmakers, for filmmakers, and it shows. The programming was thoughtful and diverse, the organisation seamless, and the Depot is an ideal venue: welcoming, professional, and community-minded. It was a real pleasure to be part of an event so grounded in local creativity, yet ambitious in its scope. The atmosphere throughout was generous and collaborative, and the networking opportunities felt organic rather than forced. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to any filmmaker with a connection to Sussex - it’s a special kind of event that really understands what matters.”