Joe Lycett, ‘Gavin & Stacey’s’ Mathew Horne & the crew behind the making of Netflix smash ‘Adolescence’ headline Forward Film & Television Festival 2025
The Forward Film & TV Festival has officially wrapped its first-ever edition in style, lighting up Birmingham with a bold celebration of emerging filmmakers, genre-defying stories, and regional talent. Over a packed weekend of screenings, networking, and industry events, the festival delivered on its mission to champion new voices and shine a spotlight on the future of screen storytelling.
The festival concluded with a vibrant awards ceremony recognising standout achievements across 12 categories. From deeply personal documentaries to slick genre shorts, the winners reflected the range, energy, and originality at the heart of the UK’s independent film and TV scene. One event held at the MAC Centre was a Q&A for Netflix’s Adolescence, featuring the Director of Photography, Matthew Lewis, who is now Emmy-nominated for his work on the show.
Held across key venues in Birmingham, including Mockinbird Cinema, Centrala, MAC Birmingham and The Old Crown, Forward welcomed hundreds of attendees from across the UK film and TV landscape, including filmmakers, producers, writers, students, and industry partners. With a clear focus on innovation, inclusivity, and regional pride, the festival has already earned a reputation as one of the UK’s freshest new creative platforms.
Plans are now underway for an even bigger 2026 edition, with submissions set to open this autumn.
Festival co-founders Cassie Smyth and Lee Nabbs reflected on the event’s success:
“We set out to build a festival that gives space to untold stories and untested formats, and what we witnessed was an outpouring of talent—local, national, and international. The creative energy in Birmingham this weekend was electric.”
Festival co-founder Matthew Ford adds:
“The first year of the Forward Film & Television Festival has exceeded all expectations. We’ve always known Birmingham is a creative, supportive city—but the enthusiasm we witnessed was extraordinary. Over five days, a diverse programme of events, backed by key individuals and organisations, became something truly special thanks to the people of Birmingham. Their wholehearted support—and the warm welcome they gave to international visitors—fills us with pride and strengthens our drive to keep pushing forward.”
Winner of Best West Midlands Film: ‘Daniel’s Room’, Director Jack Richardson said:
“I’m so proud of the Daniel’s Room team – this award is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and belief in the story we wanted to tell. Huge thanks to Forward Film & TV Festival for creating a space that champions regional talent and new voices.”
2025 Forward Film & TV Festival Award Winners
Best Feature Film: Mayfly – Directed by Matthew Vivian
Best Short Film: Ice Cream Headache – Directed by Benjamin K. Dyson
Best Documentary: City of Cars – Directed by Sarah Chandler
Best Director: Fairview Park – Directed by Ellie Hodgetts & Aymeric Nicolet
Best Horror Short: Nervous Ellie – Directed by David Yorke
Best Comedy Short: No Worries if Not – Directed by Emma Hodgkinson
Best Editing: C:>Format – Edited by Björn Wahlström
Best SFX/Make-Up: Daniel’s Room – SFX by Amrita Mudan
Best West Midlands Film: Daniel’s Room – Directed by Jack Richardson
Best Emerging Filmmaker: Skate – Directed by Elliot Johns
Best West Midlands Actor: C’mon – Candice Palladino
Best TV Episode/Pilot: Wonderseekers – Directed by Michele Lanubile
Best Cinematography: Brothers – Lou Murrall
Best Lead Actor: Fairview Park – Denis Grindel
Best Animation: The Big Bad Wolf – Directed by Leo Wright
Best Music Video: Wait in the Car – Directed by Damien Hyde
Best Short Screenplay: Beached – Written by Oisin Tymon
Best Feature Screenplay: Walker’s Game – Written by Luke Ollerton
Best TV Script: Dead Romantic – Written by Katy Lynam