Richard Armitage (The Hobbit) Joins 2025 Midlands Movies Awards Jury As Submissions Open

Film organisation Midlands Movies has called for submissions for its annual film awards, which support the best filmmaking talent across the region.

Now in its ninth year, the Midlands Movies Awards encourages independent filmmakers of all ages and backgrounds to submit creative film projects for viewing by industry experts.

A jury panel of respected and experienced film professionals has the difficult task of choosing the nominations and winners. This year they will be headed up by multi award-winning stage and screen actor Richard Armitage.

Best known for his role of Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s trilogy of The Hobbit, Richard has been involved in three global number one Netflix hit shows including Harlan Corben’s Stay Close and The Stranger, as well as starring as William Farrow in Obsession. Hailing from Leicester, Richard also attended a regional drama school in Coventry and will decide the winner of the Best Short Film category.

Joining Richard on the panel are key industry representatives Sophie Ivanova & Mellissa Donello (Birmingham Film & TV Market), Jake Harvey (Phoenix Cinema) & Nicola Prestage (BAFTA-nominated filmmaker). The panel is rounded out with Jack Rafferty (BBC Leicester), Lateesha Johnson (BFI) & Mike Sales (Midlands Movies).

Previous jury panel members have included Parminder Nagra (DI Ray & Bend It Like Beckham), Shane Meadows (‘This Is England’), Debbie Isitt (BAFTA winning director of ‘Nativity!’), Steve Oram (‘Sightseers’ actor), Richard Billingham (Turner prize nominee) & more.

No matter how big or small the production, filmmakers can enter their films across 16 categories including best short, best feature and best acting roles, with the winners announced at a lavish ceremony in June in Leicester.

The submission window runs until February 2025 for creatives to put forward their films as well as allowing time to finish off projects still in production.

“I’m so excited to get going again for another year”, says Mike Sales, founder of Midlands Movies. “We welcome filmmakers with all types of stories to tell to get involved, as well as films from different genres including animation and even documentaries.”

“Everyone submitting an entry should know they have an equal chance of winning, no matter their budget, size or experience.”

“Over the years, zero budget films have successfully competed with films which have had a cinema release, with the jury seeking out the best of the best no matter people’s resources. If you have a film or two then we’d love to have you involved by heading over to our FilmFreeway page so our amazing jury can look at your project.

“Our goal is to wake the country up so it takes notice of the amazing creatives in our region.”

Official Midlands Movies Awards 2025 page:

https://www.midlandsmovies.com/midlands-movies-awards

FilmFreeway page (to submit a film) 

https://filmfreeway.com/MidlandsMoviesAwards