Local filmmakers invited to join Leighton Buzzard Film Festival’s 48-hour challenge
Leighton Buzzard film festival, Buzz Cinema, is inviting local filmmakers to take part in its annual 48-hour film challenge. Running from Friday 15th – Sunday 17th May, local filmmakers have just 48 hours to create a short film based on three prompts: a script note, an object, and a location.
Returning for its fifth year, all submitted films will be screened at The Golden Bell pub in Leighton Buzzard on Sunday, 17th May, and local filmmakers of any age and ability are encouraged to sign up and take part, either as a team of six or as a solo entrant.
Each of the 48-hour challenge films submitted by the 4pm deadline on Sunday, 17th May, will be in the running to win a Buzz Cinema award, judged by a panel of industry experts. For 2026, judges, Olivier award-winning actor, Michael Jibson, Moondance International Film Festival award-winning sound engineer, Wilfredo Acosta, ITV and Channel 4 Editor, Nick Read, and local film studies teacher, Sam Cain, will present awards for: Best Cinematography, Best Acting, Best Storytelling, Best Sound, Audience Favourite, and Best Student/Beginners Film.
The 48-hour challenge marks the final event of the ten-day film festival running from Friday, 8th, to Sunday, 17th May. Ahead of the return of the popular event, the Director of Buzz Cinema Film Festival said: “The 48-hour film challenge is a great way for filmmakers to challenge themselves. There’s no time to overthink, so they have to let go of their inner critics and often creatives team up with people they’ve never met, form unlikely alliances and make a great piece of film.
“It’s also an accessible challenge, filmmakers can use their phone, films can be shot around the town centre, and local independent businesses are often keen to help out and offer their space as a location, so it’s a really great community event.”
The world-class film festival announced its 2026 programme of short films earlier this year. Featuring films from local emerging talent to award-winning filmmakers, ticket prices start at prices as low as £5. Such affordable pricing stands in contrast to broader challenges facing the cinema industry in the UK recently.
While overall cinema revenue has increased globally according to Screen Daily, rising prices have seen admissions plateau, dipping 2.4% from the previous year and struggling to return to pre-pandemic attendance. In the East of England specifically, two multiplex cinemas – Cineworld Bedford, and The Point Milton Keynes have closed in recent years, with the latter set for demolition. Such results showcase the growing importance of affordable regional film festivals like Buzz Cinema to provide a vital lifeline to audiences who enjoy film and cinema experiences at a reasonable cost.
To take part in Buzz Cinema’s 48-hour challenge, please click here: https://buzzcinema.eventive.org/schedule/69bd34f69f19d93d1e41f8f1
To view Buzz Cinema’s 2026 programme and to buy tickets, please click the link here: https://buzzcinema.eventive.org/schedule/69bd34f69f19d93d1e41f8f1
