Screen Ashford Short Film Competition 2025/26 – Winners Announced!
Celebrating Kent’s Creative Film Talent
Screen South, in partnership with Ashford Borough Council, is excited to announce the winners of the Screen Ashford Short Film Competition 2025/26, a flagship talent development programme supporting bold, diverse and original filmmakers across Kent.
After an incredible response from creatives across the region, four teams of filmmakers have been awarded £3,000 commissions each to produce new short films in the Ashford area. Their projects stood out for their originality, storytelling and powerful representation of community and place.
Congratulations to Our 2025/26 Filmmakers
Amusement
Synopsis: With the clock ticking on her trip to the amusements, a ten year old girl needs to act quickly to make her funds last and win her dream prize, but she hasn’t contended with the self-appointed king of the amusements and his attempts to thwart her simple ambition.
Team: Cal Lewis – Producer | Catherine Newell – Writer | Stephanie Zari – Director
Toucher
Synopsis: In the 1990’s, two friends discover a strange artifact that feeds social media brain rot into their minds – and they can’t put it down.
Team: Joanna Postlewaite – Producer | Dominic Rees-Roberts – Writer | Dominic Rees-Roberts – Director
Fan Art
Synopsis: In a world where autonomous machines are banned from creating art, a sentient fan dreams of becoming a artist – only to be crushed by prejudice, heartbreak, and the denial of its creative spirit.
Team: Amir Ayman – Producer | Laine Slater – Writer | Tom Cavalier – Director
Hush Little One
Synopses: A single mother’s sleepless nights turn to terror when her son’s nightmares manifest in the shadows of their home.
Team: Sean Griffin – Producer | Syd Heather – Writer | Syd Heather – Director
Each filmmaker will receive expert mentoring, production guidance and creative support from Screen South, helping them bring their cinematic vision to life. The completed short films will premiere in early 2026, followed by screenings and festival submissions across the UK.
About the Screen Ashford Short Film Competition
The Screen Ashford Short Film Competition is an annual initiative that champions filmmaking talent from Kent and the Ashford district. It provides a platform for emerging and established creatives to tell original, drama-led stories that reflect the diversity and vibrancy of local communities.
Each year, Screen Ashford awards:
- £3,000 to four selected filmmakers
- Production and mentoring support from industry professionals
- Opportunities for festival distribution and public screenings
We welcome stories that are bold, inclusive and rooted in authentic experience from comedy and drama to animation and experimental work.
What’s Next
Keep an eye out for:
- Behind-the-scenes updates from this year’s filmmakers
- Screening announcements for early 2026
- Details of the 2026/27 Short Film Competition launch
- New workshops, masterclasses, and networking events for Kent filmmakers
Stay Connected
Don’t miss your chance to take part in next year’s programme. Join the Screen South’s Mailing List to get updates and event invites straight to your inbox.
