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.

How they built a film in the Midlands

By midlandsmovies • January 21, 2026
Writer Caitlin Moran grew up on a council estate in Wolverhampton and new film How to Build a Girl is an adaptation of her biography of the same name which covers her career as a budding young music journalist.

Midlands Review of One Road Out

By midlandsmovies • December 30, 2025
A strange island with a mysterious aura is the focus of a new 30-minute short film where a community is plagued by disappearing inhabitants and horrific goings-on.

Midlands Review of Big Red

By midlandsmovies • December 17, 2025
Midlands writer-director-actor-animator James Pyle ends the year with Big Red, a new 8-minute short film that explores the fun relationship between man and beast.

Midlands Review of Mia, Alex and Dean Make a Movie

By midlandsmovies • December 15, 2025
The “All the world’s a stage” quote from 'little-known' Midlands playwright William Shakespeare opens up a new and quirky short from writer-director Declan Smith.

Midlands Review of The Winster Werewolf

By midlandsmovies • December 8, 2025
On the 4th of December 2025, as the cold moon rose, evil spirits and terrifying creatures lingered in the darkness. In rural Derbyshire, the full moon welcomed in the premiere of The Winster Werewolf – Amberwell Productions' new short, the fourth in their six-part ‘creature anthology’.

Midlands on the Move: Carl Staples storyboard artist

By midlandsmovies • December 6, 2025
As part of our Midlands on the Move features, we speak to Carl Staples, a Midlands storyboarder and filmmaker with a wide range of regional experience and we found out more about Carl's work, his experience in the Midlands and what he's taken with him as his career developed...

Midlands on the Move: A Local Lad in London

By midlandsmovies • December 4, 2025
Our resident local film critic Jacob Holmes headed off beyond the region's boundaries to the BFI London Film Festival. In our latest Midlands on the Move feature, Jacob shares some helpful hints for first timers

Midlands Review of Royston Vale Road

By midlandsmovies • December 2, 2025
Developed as part of the anthology, Serial, Royston Vale Road is a slight, comedy-heavy, found footage short directed by Chris Annable, co-owner of the Straight to Video movie memorabilia and tape store in Alfreton.
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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!