It's TUFF
to get into film.

This is how you start.

Five days of access, opportunity and real industry connection.

London's student film festival & industry summit · Regent Street Cinema · 12–16 January 2027

Students filming on a green-screen set

TUFF: where film
education meets
industry

The Turn Up Film Festival (TUFF) is London's student film festival and industry summit, running 12–16 January 2027 at Regent Street Cinema, supported by 17 of London's leading universities providing film courses. Founded by the University of Westminster, Queen Mary University of London and Regent Street Cinema, TUFF brings emerging filmmakers, educators and industry together, creating a space to learn, connect, exchange ideas and help shape the future of film.

Across the festival, students and recent graduates from TUFF participating partner universities will screen their work, selected by course leaders, to industry audiences. These films will then be entered for the TUFF film awards competition. Shortlisted films for each award category will then be judged by a jury of industry experts.

In addition, all delegates registering for accreditation to TUFF industry events will be able to take part in masterclasses, panels and direct conversations with working professionals over the course of the festival. All delegates are also invited to submit their pitches to TUFF's pitching competition with a chance to pitch to an industry panel during the festival.

Short Film Showcase.
5 Days.
An audience
that matters.

Directing

Craft, vision and the language of the frame.

Producing

From idea to greenlight: the people who make films happen.

Financing

Where the money comes from, and how to fund your project.

Distribution

Getting films seen — festivals, sales agents, platforms.

Screenwriting

The script is the blueprint: how stories reach the page.

AI + Film

The tools reshaping production, and what they mean for new filmmakers.

The Awards

Films entered for TUFF are judged across 15 categories by our industry jury.

Audience Award
Best Animation
Best Cinematography
Best Comedy
Best Director
Best Documentary
Best Drama
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Production Design
Best Screenplay
Best Societal Impact
Best Sound Design
Best MA Film
Best BA Film

The Jury

Ashanti McIntosh
VP UK Acquisitions
Studio Canal
Bryony Forde
Theatrical Sales Director
Altitude Film Entertainment
Caroline Bottomley
Founder
Shiny Awards
Jane Crowther
Chair
London Critics' Circle Film
Logan Parker
BA Film Graduate
University of Westminster
Negede Assefa
Head of Cinema
Rich Mix
Neil Fox
Professor of Film Practice and Pedagogy
Falmouth University
Peter Murray
Filmmaking Lead
Into Film
Rachel Plant
Producer
Aardman Academy
Tom Howson
Head of Theatrical Sales
Dogwoof

Our jury represents

Studio Canal
Altitude Film Entertainment
Shiny Awards
London Critics' Circle
Rich Mix
Falmouth University
Into Film
Aardman Academy
Dogwoof

Who is it for?

01

Film Students

Currently enrolled, undergraduate or postgraduate.

02

Graduates

Up to 3 years post-graduation.

03

Emerging Filmmakers

Develop your voice. Build your network. Find your next step.

This isn't
just a festival.

It's where the next generation of filmmakers meets the industry.

Film Awards
Films made by students from TUFF participating universities are eligible for the TUFF Film Awards.
Meet the Industry
Learn from the people shaping film today.
Beyond the Festival
TUFF doesn't end when the screenings do. We are building an ongoing programme of professional development, industry engagement and opportunities designed to help emerging filmmakers continue learning, connecting and developing their careers throughout the year.

Dates & Location

Save the date note
12–16 January 2027

Registration to attend TUFF will open here on 1 October.

Accreditation

Festival accreditation for TUFF 2027 will be available to purchase from Regent Street Cinema.

Details of what accreditation includes, and the link to buy it, will be published here shortly. Register your interest and we will let you know as soon as accreditation opens.

Register your interest

Industry Partners

Into Film
Aardman × University of Westminster Academy Partnership
Aardman
Canon
Canon
Long Story TV
Long Story TV
Mama Youth Project
Mama Youth Project
UK Music Video Awards 2026
UK Music Video Awards

More partners to be announced.

With Thanks To

University of Westminster, Queen Mary University of London, London Higher, NAHEMI

Participating
London Universities

Birkbeck, University of London
Brunel University London
Escape Studios
Goldsmiths, University of London
Guildhall School
Kingston University London
London South Bank University
Middlesex University
Ravensbourne University London
Rose Bruford College
University of East London
University of Greenwich
University of Roehampton London
University of the Arts London

Register your interest.

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