What is Buzz Cinema? 🎥
Buzz Cinema Film Festival celebrates filmmaking across Beds, Bucks and Herts while bringing people together through film here in Leighton Buzzard.
Now in our 5th year, our festival showcases a range of films and events while creating a space for filmmakers, creatives and audiences to connect.
Follow along as we get closer to this year’s festival in May!
We’re very grateful to have Austin & Carnley ( @austinandcarnley ) on board as a sponsor of Buzz Cinema 2026.
They’re one of the oldest law firms in Bedfordshire, with roots going back to the 1880s. They’ve been part of the Leighton Buzzard community for generations, making them a perfect match for our community focussed film festival!
Only 3 hours until the start of the 48 hour film challenge! You can still sign up until right before the challenge and create for the chance of winning one of our bespoke awards made by @anthonysmithwood and Marianne Gee!
Award categories are:
- Best Actor
- Best Storytelling (editing)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Sound
- Audience Favourite
Go to buzzcinema.co.uk or follow the link in bio.
Congratulations to the nominated and winning films of Buzz Cinema 2026! It was great to have so many of you with us during the awards evening.
A big thank you to all filmmakers who submitted their film, we judges really had a tough job selecting and nominating your films!
We’re not finished yet, you can still join us tonight for the documentary W: Return to Oz and the 48hr film challenge!
Book now W: Return to Oz -> buzzcinema.co.uk
Friday, 15th May, 8pm
A raw atmospheric documentary exploring the rise and fall of Plymouth’s legendary underground rave venue.
Shot on analogue film and built from archives, memories and urban exploration, the film journeys through the abandoned nightlife place and asks what happens when culturally significant places are left behind.
After the screening, we will discuss the concept of reclaiming empty buildings for creative and cultural use with:
James Leay, co founder of Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels, known for transforming disused urban spaces into thriving cultural hubs.
Rebecca Shoesmith, creative economy specialist and former British Council lead, working globally on culture, policy and creative industries.
If you care about music history, underground culture, nightlife or the future of creative spaces, this is for you!
Book now for W: Return to Oz @linslademews
Via our link in bio or go to buzzcinema.co.uk
Book your ticket for the award night tonight!
Join us for the first award ceremony of Buzz Cinema. We have received amazing films and we’re excited to reveal the winners this evening!
We will screen the the winning films of the 5 categories! So you get the best of the best this evening!
Book now on buzzcinema.co.uk or via link in bio.
Book the Editing Lab! ✂️
A practical workshop exploring how editing shapes story, character and audience experience. With @atnickread
We’ll cover
- The editors toolkit & where to begin
- Improving difficult scenes
- Working with audio from the start
- Recutting scenes to completely change meaning
- The ripple effect of editing choices - influencing audience experience
- Time compressions: losing duration without losing story.
Together we’ll watch, discuss and re-cut a scene as a group before reviewing different approaches.
Whether you’re new to editing or already working on a project, this session is designed to sharpen instincts, challenge approaches and leave you with techniques you can immediately apply (for example during the 48h challenge!)
Book now via the link in our bio or go to buzzcinema.co.uk
Opening Night was the perfect way to kick off this year’s Film Festival.
A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the first night such a great start to the festival.
We’re only just getting started…👀
Join the Editing Lab, Wednesday 13th, 7:30pm
@leightonbuzzardtheatre bar
Recommended to 48h challenge participants and anyone who wants to improve their editing.
During the Edit Lab, pro-editor Nick Read will take you through what makes a great edit!
Including
- how to reshape a character with your editing
- what’s important to get right before you start,
- the fundamentals of the editing toolkit
And much more!
During this interactive workshop you’ll see a pro at work while actively participating in creating the edit.
This is a unique chance to get an insight in what it takes to be an editor.
Book now! Go to buzzcinema.co.uk or follow the link in bio!
Young Filmmakers Night
Join us tomorrow, Monday 11th May, 7:30pm at Astral Park Community Centre for a night celebrating emerging filmmakers and fresh creative voices.
Come along and discover exciting new films on the big screen. Tickets available now.
Book sound lab today. Go to Buzzcinema.co.uk or follow the link in bio or stories.
Workshop in Waterborne works (Waterborne Walk)
We only have a few places left for the sound lab today! The workshop will give you a unique insight in the process of film sound. Grab a mic, stir a cup, tell a story through sound!
Warning, you’ll never be able to listen to films the same way!
Book now online, we won’t be able to sell tickets on the door.
