A filmmaker’s guide to Brighton

Brighton has a long connection with filmmaking, including its role in the development of early cinema and its continued appearances on film and TV screens. Its mix of historic architecture, seafront locations, and independent creative spaces offers plenty of possibilities for screen production.

Home to MetFilm School Brighton, the city offers an exciting environment for you to develop your craft, collaborate with other creatives, and find inspiration.

Brighton’s film history and industry influence

In the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, Brighton became an important centre for early filmmaking. A group of filmmakers and technical innovators associated with the city, later known as the Brighton School, helped develop techniques that shaped the language of cinema.

One of these pioneers was George Albert Smith. In his 1900 film The House That Jack Built, Smith used reverse motion to create a special effect in which a toy house destroyed by a boy appears to rebuild itself. The film illustrates how early filmmakers experimented with the camera to create effects that audiences had not seen before.

Smith worked alongside other figures associated with early Brighton cinema, including James Williamson, Esmé Collings, and Alfred Darling. Williamson helped develop more complex, multi-shot narratives and editing techniques, moving beyond the single-shot films. Collings, a portrait photographer, was among those experimenting with moving images in the region during the 1890s.

Alfred Darling played a different but equally important role. A Brighton-based engineer specialising in cinematographic equipment, he worked with local filmmakers to develop and adapt cameras for their productions. His technical expertise helped filmmakers explore new ways of capturing and manipulating images. Smith, for example, purchased a camera from Darling in 1899 and went on to make Grandma’s Reading Glass (1900), an early example of innovative editing and the use of close-ups.

Throughout the twentieth century, Brighton continued to feature in films of different genres. These include the original Brighton Rock (1948) and its 2010 remake, Richard Attenborough’s anti-war musical Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), and Quadrophenia (1979).

Brighton also has a continuing presence on television. ITV’s detective drama Grace, based on the novels by Peter James, is filmed in Brighton and across Sussex. MetFilm School Brighton students and graduates have had opportunities to work on the production through an industry collaboration supported by the school’s Creative Futures team.

Brighton’s key filming locations

The ruins of the West Pier are among the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Following the fires that damaged the structure in 2003, its skeletal remains have become a striking visual feature of the seafront. The pier also appears briefly in the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once, during its multiverse-spanning fight sequence.

The Royal Pavilion is another recognisable Brighton landmark. Its distinctive architecture has featured in productions including both versions of Brighton Rock and The Current War (2017). The Pavilion also served as a filming location for the second season of Netflix’s The Sandman, with filming taking place in early 2024.

Elsewhere, the seafront promenade, The Lanes, North Laine, the Grand Hotel, Brighton Palace Pier, and the beach offer different settings for film and television productions. Beyond these well-known locations, Brighton’s residential neighbourhoods, independent businesses, and surrounding countryside provide further possibilities.

Film festivals and events in Brighton

Film festivals give filmmakers and audiences opportunities to discover new work, meet other creatives, and take part in conversations about cinema. Brighton has several established events covering international film, independent production, animation, and underrepresented voices.

CINECITY: Held each November, CINECITY presents international cinema, previews, archive screenings, artist films, and special events. Its programme provides opportunities to explore filmmaking from different countries, genres, and traditions.

Brighton Rocks International Film Festival: Brighton Rocks focuses on independent and underground cinema, providing a platform for independent filmmaking. Brighton Rocks 2026 edition took place in June, with their Made in Brighton showcase featuring a strong selection of MetFilm School students and graduates, alongside other emerging talent.

Oska Bright Film Festival: Oska Bright showcases films made by or featuring people with learning disabilities. Founded in 2004, it has grown into an international festival featuring screenings, discussions, workshops, and industry events. The festival continues to provide a platform for filmmakers whose work is often underrepresented on screen.

FilmPride: FilmPride is Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQIA+ film festival, showcasing independent queer cinema from local and international filmmakers. Its programme celebrates LGBTQIA+ stories and perspectives, with accessible screenings and events throughout the year.

Brighton International Animation Festival: For those interested in animation, the Brighton International Animation Festival presents films, workshops and talks, all celebrating the art of animation. Brighton Fringe Festival Every May, the city transforms with pop-up theatres, live performances, and art installations.

Brighton Fringe Festival: Every May, the city transforms with pop-up theatres, live performances, and art installations.

The city’s cinemas also help sustain its film culture. White Wall Cinema organises pop-up screenings at venues around Brighton, while Duke of York’s Picturehouse, widely recognised as the UK’s oldest continuously operating purpose-built cinema, hosts screenings and events for local film audiences.

Brighton’s filmmaking community

The city has cinemas, independent screening events, festivals, and arts organisations that bring people together around film and the wider screen industries.

MetFilm School Brighton is part of this environment, offering a place for students to develop practical skills, work on productions, and collaborate with other students. These collaborations provide opportunities to understand how different departments contribute to a production, build professional relationships, and gain experience working as part of a creative team.

For example, MetFilm School Brighton BA Hair and Make-up for Screen & Film student Jemma Clarke-Gilgeous is building experience across television, film, and theatre. She has worked as Head of Hair and Make-up on Drained, a BA Filmmaking student film, and is currently gaining further industry experience as a Wigs, Hair & Make-up Trainee on Saturday Night Live UK.

Starting a creative career in Brighton

Brighton is a city that embraces creativity and diversity, all while offering a supportive environment for filmmakers.

With MetFilm School Brighton providing opportunities for practical work and collaboration, the city offers a setting in which to explore different aspects of screen production and begin building connections that can continue beyond graduation. London is also within easy reach by train, giving students access to a wider range of industry events and opportunities.

Come to an Open Day and meet our industry-active lecturers, and find out how you can gain real on-set experience while you study.