High Peak Indie Film Festival

High Peak Independent Film Festival is a not-for-profit film festival that celebrates shorts and feature films from some of the best filmmakers around the world. The festival showcases up and coming talent from independent filmmakers across a four-day event of film, events and networking parties. Set in the beautiful town of New Mills, the festival takes place at the old theatre, New Mills Art Theatre, an almost hidden five hundred seater venue that takes you back to the past when you walk in. New Mills, only 45 minutes away from Manchester and Sheffield, is an easy commute and is worth the visit just to see the rolling hills that surround the village. It’s also known for making the famous Swizzles Matlow sweets!

In the festival’s inaugural year back in 2017, the festival hit off with a bang and received great reviews from filmmakers, film lovers and those who just heard about it through word of mouth. It showed 51 films across a three and a half day event. In its second year, the festival will showcase 60 films (56 shorts, 4 features), amongst hosting an array of events and networking opportunities for filmmakers and festival goers alike.

Programmes at this year's festival include our dedicated Young Filmmakers Shorts that include a selection of short films by young filmmakers aged 13-18-year-olds from around the world, a category that is always free for entry to those of that age. There is also a Women in Film programme that is dedicated to the outstanding work of female filmmakers in the independent film industry and our Best of the North which celebrates the best of local talent. As well as many other shorts programmes, we are showcasing four feature films, including holding two UK Premieres for Sarah Barker’s ‘The Subject’ and Christophe Leclaire’s ‘Le Portrait’. Our events for this year include our prestigious awards ceremony which comes jam-packed with entertainment and a live set from local artists, James Holt, and our returning movie-themed brass band night, which really is something not to be missed! We also have our free 10-hour filmmaking challenge on the Thursday and panels on Saturday and Sunday too.