ALL ABOUT 2CIFF
Welcome to 2 Counties Independent Film Festival (2CIFF)
Welcome to 2 Counties Independent Film Festival (2CIFF) where we celebrate worldwide filmmaking talent and also pay homage to the amazing talent within Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. We will host this amazing festival over a summer weekend in one of these amazing UK counties. The inaugural 2CIFF will be held in August 2026 between the 21st and 23rd at the amazing Milton Keynes Gallery and Sky Room Cinema, central Milton Keynes.
(21st-23rd August 2026)
Why choose 2CIFF?
A Summer Weekend Festival Like No Other
We’re creating a celebratory weekend experience for filmmakers and audiences:
Screenings in the Sky Room cinema and a second purpose designed screening room.
Networking receptions and afterparties in the gallery, giving filmmakers direct access to industry professionals and audiences.
Workshops and panels hosted in inspiring creative spaces, helping emerging voices grow and connect.
Outdoor summer vibes in central Milton Keynes, with easy transport links for worldwide and UK attendees.
Building on the festival directors previous success of running other film festivals, iago has decided to go bigger and has partnered with other successful organisations and local businesses to champion filmmakers from around the world. The main aim will be to expand the festival year on year, garner momentum eventually securing associated festival status.
Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire have so much to offer and both counties are stacked with talent and film production powerhouse entities - Pinewood, NFTS (National Film and Television school), Cardington studios and the soon to be developed Universal studios theme park. Our famous talent includes Emily Atack, Ben Whishaw, Sophie Rundle and a whole host of talented filmmakers choose these counties as home.
2CIFF was created by filmmakers for filmmakers, the management team and Judges include Award winning Actors, Directors, Stunt co-ordinators, Screenwriters and Producers with over 50 years of combined experience. The team are all committed to showcasing , promoting and celebrating independent filmmaking talent from around the world and the festival will accept all genres of film including, Sci-fi, Horror, Comedy, Animation, Action, Drama and Documentary.
We are unlike other festivals and only ask you to enter one (yes just 1!!!!!) main category. If and once selected then you will be entered into 20 sub categories and have a chance to win in every one, you will be invited to attend the festival where your film will be showcased (4 free cast and crew tickets), at the festival you will get a free sponsors goodie bag, entry into the network event and discounted entry to the gala after party. Amazing announcements will be made during the coming months as to what else the festival will be able to offer both Film Makers and festival attendees.
Judging will take place by a panel of judges encompassing years of experience in every aspect of filmmaking, each category will be given special consideration by an expert judge in that field and we will be inviting special VIP judges for certain categories.
The festival will also include networking events and opportunities to socialise as well as industry professional inputs and of course a star studded awards ceremony, we are planning for the festival to run over 3 days during the Summer of 2026 (21st -23rd Aug)
All selected films will be screened during the festival and prizes will be presented for the winning films during the awards ceremony. We will aim to screen up to 100 films across the festival weekend.
For the inaugural festival - MILTON KEYNES - has been selected to host, MK is the jewel in the crown of Buckinghamshire, the City is the fastest growing urban area in Europe, it is home to Red Bull Racing and WD40, it is a Hub for business, tech and was the first place in the UK for a water birth.
The Sky Room Cinema (In collaboration with Curzon Cinemas) is a modern screening space with cutting-edge projection and sound, tailored for cinematic brilliance. Every film looks and feels its best.
Gallery MK is a a vibrant, contemporary gallery space where art, film, and culture collide. Perfect for the weekend networking events, gala, and awards ceremony, the festival will ensure your film is showcased in a wider creative conversation.
DATE FOR THE DIARY 21st AUG - 23rd AUG 2026