Coming soon to a screen near you: Hertfordshire Film and TV Festival

From blockbuster films to award-winning television, millions of people around the world watch content made in Hertfordshire every day.

Now, for the first time, a new festival will bring audiences closer to the stories, talent and industry behind the screen.

The inaugural Hertfordshire Film & TV Festival will take place from 2-4 July 2027, celebrating the county’s unique role in film, television and digital content through screenings, special events, industry conversations, immersive experiences and opportunities to discover careers in the screen industries.

Based in south-west Hertfordshire, at the heart of one of the UK’s most successful screen clusters, the festival will showcase the creativity, innovation and talent that have made the area synonymous with world-class production.

It aims to celebrate Hertfordshire’s screen success while inspiring the next generation of talent and opening up opportunities to people from all backgrounds.

The festival has already secured the support of a growing coalition of partners from across industry, education, media, local government, hospitality and the voluntary sector, including Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, West Herts College, Oaklands College and the University of Hertfordshire. Heart FM is the festival’s media partner and Watford FC’s Community Sports & Education Trust its charity partner.

Local authority partners include Watford Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, Stevenage Borough Council and the Hertfordshire Growth Board.

Mayor Peter Taylor, Watford Borough Council, said: “Whether you’ve always dreamed of working in film and television or simply love great stories, this festival is for you. We want to throw open the doors to an industry that many people know exists here, but few get the chance to experience up close. I’m delighted that Watford is helping to bring this exciting new event to life and look forward to welcoming audiences from across Hertfordshire and beyond.”

Rebecca Hawkes, Head of Elstree Studios, said: “For over a century, Elstree Studios has been at the heart of British film and television production, helping to create stories enjoyed by audiences around the world. The Hertfordshire Film & TV Festival is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the region’s extraordinary contribution to the screen industries, while inspiring the next generation of creative talent.”

Gill Worgan CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, West Herts College, said: “We’re delighted to be a Headline Sponsor and Anchor Venue Partner for the first Hertfordshire Film & TV Festival. Hertfordshire is home to some of the most important studios in the world, and our students are training for careers in that industry right here on its doorstep. This event shows young people that a future in film and television is within their reach.”

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “We’re incredibly fortunate to have one of the world’s leading screen production clusters on our doorstep. The Hertfordshire Film & TV Festival will help shine a spotlight on that success while creating fantastic opportunities for local people to get involved. Film and television is a big part of Three Rivers’ identity and has helped put our area on the global map.”

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Chair of the Elstree Studios Board and Senior Vice Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “As a thriving screen sector hub that increasingly drives our local economy, Hertsmere is proud to be supporting the inaugural Hertfordshire Film & TV Festival. This exciting new event provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the creativity, talent and economic value that film and television bring to our area.”

The festival will invite short film entries of up to 15 minutes from filmmakers, content creators and emerging talent across Drama, Documentary and Animation categories. Submissions will open between January and March 2027.

It is also working with Creative Forces UK to help ensure opportunities within the screen industries are accessible to members of the armed forces community and veterans.

Further programme announcements and special guests will be revealed over the coming months.
For more information, visit www.hertfordshirefilmtvfestival.com.