MIDLANDS SPOTLIGHT

Film speaks in a universal language, yet they also reflect the times and places they were made in. Our regional coverage showcases the originality, diversity and richness of local films, and also spotlights the unique position of what makes the Midlands great.

Check out the latest local releases below which give a window into the Midlands, with its mix of contemporary and historical culture encapsulated across a variety of film genres.

Midlands Review of House-Keeping

By midlandsmovies • June 4, 2025
The sound of a noisy hoover is the unlikely beginning of a new film from first-time filmmaker Nicholas Georghiou. A short about domestic help, the film explores a strange situation in a hotel room where all is not what it seems.

Joe Lycett, Mathew Horne & the team behind Adolescence headline Forward Film & TV Fest 2025

By midlandsmovies • June 1, 2025
The inaugural Forward Film & Television Festival makes its debut and will be spotlighting bold new voices and positioning Birmingham as a major player in the screen industries.

Nottinghamshire’s Biggest Film Festival Returns This Summer

By midlandsmovies • June 1, 2025
Returning for its third and biggest year yet, the Mansfield Town Film Festival (MTFF) runs from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July 2025 ay Mansfield Palace Theatre.

Midlands Review of Blossoming Hearts

By midlandsmovies • May 26, 2025
Naphat Boonyaprapa previously directed the excellent – if niche – documentary Red Black Green about local table tennis star Connor Green. Now, turning his attention to fiction, his latest short is a tender examination of loneliness and friendship.

Midlands Review of Lazar

By midlandsmovies • May 11, 2025
Not judging a book by its cover. That’s the premise for this snappy period comedy from writer directors Michael and Rafe Bird. It opens on a bard (Joseph Emms) who is on the run from law in the 16th or 17th century (various bits of press around the film can’t seem to decide on which) when a supposed wood nymph interrupts proceedings.

Midlands Spotlight on The Wirksworth UFO Incident

By midlandsmovies • April 30, 2025
Forty years later, a witness returns to Wirksworth in Derbyshire to seek closure in a new documentary called The Wirksworth UFO Incident.

Interview with Midlands filmmaker Jonathan Hawes

By midlandsmovies • April 29, 2025
With a number of acclaimed films under his belt including Cosmo, Gone Fishing and The Morgue Party, Jonathan Hawes now launches his latest short film, Sorry We're Closed, a quirky comedy-drama centred around fish and chips. Midlands Movies Mike Sales speaks to the writer/director about his latest project, his influences and his next plans for the film.

Gobby Flicks Comedy Night in Birmingham

By midlandsmovies • April 26, 2025
On the 24th of April, the Midlands Art Centre opened its doors to Gobby Flicks Productions for a night of live comedy. Proceeds were raised towards the production of new short comedy films, directed and written by women.
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Midlands film reviews: Terms & Conditions


Submission of material: You are welcome to submit film projects or material for review & Midlands Movies uses these geographical areas as a definition of the Midlands: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midlands As per our annual awards, we consider a film Midlands-made if OVER 75% of a finished film has been SHOT in the Midlands region. Filmmakers should ensure their film fulfils these requirements before submitting.


To submit a film please send an online video link (& password if required) via our Facebook or Twitter or email to midlandsmovies@yahoo.com

Sending
Sending additional press release material (biography, film poster, photos, cast & crew info etc) is encouraged to give context to your project. Reviews are undertaken by a diverse range of volunteer writers within one month of acknowledgement of your submission. And please ensure all films made by you adhere to copyright standards with respect to intellectual property. Films are scored out of 5 stars (in half star increments).


Conditions of review: Importantly Midlands Movies will only ever review a film once. If a secondary edit, director’s cut or a new version of a film is sent AFTER a review is published, the alternative version will not be reviewed. And owing to resources unfortunately no further feedback can be given.


In that context, we encourage all filmmakers to put their best foot forward in relation to the final film they consider submitting.


Thank you and we look forward to seeing your film!