2 Counties Independent Film Festival (2CIFF)

Horizon Radio is proud to be supporting the inaugural 2 Counties Independent Film Festival (2CIFF), a brand-new international film festival that will bring filmmakers, industry professionals and cinema lovers to Milton Keynes for a celebration of independent filmmaking.

Taking place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August 2026, the festival will be hosted at MK Gallery and the Sky Room Cinema in Central Milton Keynes. The event has been created to showcase exceptional independent films from around the world while also shining a spotlight on creative talent from Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

What is 2CIFF?

2CIFF stands for the 2 Counties Independent Film Festival. Created by filmmakers for filmmakers, the festival aims to provide a platform for emerging and established independent filmmakers while creating opportunities for audiences to discover new stories, voices and perspectives.

The festival has been founded by award-winning filmmaker and actor Iago Montgomery-Jarvis and his team, who have extensive experience across the film industry. Their vision is to establish a major annual film festival in the region that celebrates local creativity while attracting submissions from around the world.

The organisers expect to screen up to 100 films across the festival weekend, covering a wide range of genres including drama, comedy, documentary, horror, science fiction, animation and action.

Alongside the screenings, visitors can expect:

• Industry networking events
• Filmmaker Q&A sessions
• Workshops and panel discussions
• Special guest speakers
• Social events and after-parties
• A gala awards ceremony celebrating the best films screened during the festival

The festival is also designed to showcase the growing creative industries within Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, two counties with strong connections to the film and television sector.

Why Milton Keynes?

Milton Keynes has been chosen as the home of the inaugural festival due to its central location, excellent transport links and thriving cultural scene.

The festival's main venues will be MK Gallery and the Sky Room Cinema, providing state-of-the-art screening facilities alongside spaces for networking, workshops and social events.

The organisers hope the festival will become a major annual fixture on the regional cultural calendar and continue to grow in future years.

Festival Dates

Friday 21st August 2026

Opening Night

Saturday 22nd August 2026

Festival Screenings, Panels and Networking Events

Sunday 23rd August 2026

Final Screenings and Gala Awards Ceremony

Films Announced So Far

While the full festival programme is still to be announced, three films have already been confirmed for the opening night showcase on Friday 21st August.

The Lossen

Director: Colin Skevington

Running time: 26 minutes

A Bedfordshire-produced film which will be screened out of competition. Audiences will also have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A session with cast and crew following the screening.

Date: Friday 21st August 2026

Just Another Day

Director: Jason Impey

Running time: 12 minutes

A Buckinghamshire-produced film supporting the festival's chosen charities, Mind and Youth Mindset. The film will be screened out of competition as part of the opening night programme.

Date: Friday 21st August 2026

Viral: Ted Ramirez

Director: Kieran Johnston

Running time: 29 minutes

Another Buckinghamshire production, screened out of competition and accompanied by a cast and crew Q&A session.

Date: Friday 21st August 2026

Full Programme Coming Soon

Festival organisers have confirmed that the complete schedule of selected films will be announced once the judging and selection process has been completed. The final programme is expected to feature up to 100 films from around the world across multiple screening blocks throughout the weekend.

Horizon Radio is delighted to support this exciting new addition to Milton Keynes' cultural calendar and looks forward to helping promote what promises to be an inspiring celebration of independent filmmaking.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a dedicated cinema enthusiast or simply looking for something different to experience this summer, 2CIFF looks set to be one of the most exciting new events coming to Milton Keynes in 2026.