Film Festival: Made in Essex Film Programme Hadleigh

Join us for a celebration of independent film with this free film screening from Essex International Film Festival. ‘Made in Essex’ includes a selection of short films from Essex filmmakers, showcasing the best of Essex on screen!

Taking place across venues throughout the county, the inaugural Essex International Film Festival aims to put Essex on the map as an industry leading hub for film, supporting local and professional emerging filmmakers and making world-class independent cinema accessible across the county. The festival is proudly supported by the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund.  

This film screening will last approximately 90 minutes, followed by a short Q&A session with the festival organisers. 

Please note, this film screening is only suitable for ages 15 and above, and attendees will be asked to provide age verification where appropriate.

Film Programme: 

GILBERT & GEORGE DAYTRIPPING FOREVER! By Iain B. Mcdonald: Written and directed by EIFF director, Iain and produced by his co-festival directors, Lily and Charles, this film is the final part of Iain’s trilogy of films about the internationally acclaimed artists, Gilbert and George.

GOOD CHOICE, JOSEPH by James Farrell: A man who feels paralysed by choice is sent into an
existential spiral after finding a mysterious tape player that can tell the future.

THE RED BALL by George Morgan: A grief-stricken family migrate from busy London to suburban Basildon looking for a fresh start, but young Bamike is not ready to move on.

ROADSIDE FUNERAL by Marty Pritchard: Stranded on a remote country road, two feuding brothers reluctantly become pallbearers to their late mother’s casket. As they traverse the path to her funeral—and the heart of their dispute—they begin to unravel the true intent behind her unusual last will.

SMOKESCREEN by Nathan Hubble: In the claustrophobic world of Ferndale Sixth Form, reputation is everything. Katie Harper’s strategic release of a nude photo to squash rumours about her secret romance with a non-binary, gay classmate backfires when the photo goes viral, forcing her to confront the harsh realities of identity and privacy in the digital age.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING by Charlie Stewart: A short film exploring the longevity and limitations of artificial intelligence, and the loneliness of deep space.

THE METRONOME by Olivia Bennett: A micro short psychological drama focusing on a drummer battling against the ticking of time.

HA’PENNY DIP by Harry McIlroy: During a cost-of-living crisis, three unlikely individuals are forced to team up with the local psychopath to rob a bank - the bank they all work at.

WHIPPY by James Rooke: A messy turf war has erupted between warring ice cream firms in 1980s Glasgow after one rogue vendor is caught crossing county lines.

THE LAST DANCE by Hayden McLean: When successful club owner Linford “Fox” Wilson’s “LA bar” is compulsory purchased by the council, it leaves his life and the life of his Caribbean community in total disarray.


The Essex International Film Festival is supported by the Arts and Cultural Fund.