Otherfield is a unique and intimate gathering of non-fiction filmmakers and film lovers who come together in the East Sussex countryside to watch and discuss the art of non-fiction in a warm and welcoming environment away from the commercial pressures of the industry. While small, Otherfield is never exclusive and particularly welcomes those who may feel out of place at the larger festivals. The event is volunteer-run and has a DIY spirit. All screening areas and facilities are either adapted or built by the volunteers who come a week before to get things ready.
The site is made up around the Shawfield centre - where all the screenings and workshops take place. It backs on to a large meadow which leads down to the camping field. In the camping field there are basic showers, compost loos and a pile of wood ready for a large bonfire. Three meals a day will be prepared on site, with a large banquet on the Saturday night. Teas, coffees and snacks will be available by the large oak tree throughout the day. In the evening there will be a bar in the Shawfield centre serving drinks.
The Shawfield building is accessible and has disabled toilets. The camping field is a short walk away over rough ground to the screening building. Let us know your access needs and we will try our best to accommodate.
Make sure you come with your ticket (unless you plan to purchase one on the door), a tent, sleeping bag and other camping essentials. Please do bring some cash with you as there is no cash machine on site.
Otherfield has been described by some as a ‘bootcamp’ and others as a ‘retreat’. How you experience it is down to how you choose to participate. You could come and relax in a beautiful location, watch inspiring films, participate in interesting discussions and gain insight from our filmmaker's therapy sessions. Or, you can bring along a rough cut of something you’re working on to get feedback on and start new collaborations. If you want to be more involved in the running of Otherfield, you could join our team of volunteers. In exchange for your help, you will be well fed and have full access to the event. To volunteer drop us an email.
Children are welcome to attend, but no child specific activities are planned. Additionally, there is no family camping area - although there is plenty of space for us to spread out. Please note that some of the film screenings may not be suitable for children. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate dogs on site, apart from Guide Dogs.
Otherfield takes place from Friday 2nd August to Sunday 4th August 2024. The event begins on Friday early evening and ends Sunday late afternoon. Access to the site is available from midday on Friday 2nd August and the site needs to be vacated by 7pm on Sunday 2nd August.
Unfortunately we cannot provide refunds unless the event is cancelled by ourselves. We advise that you offer your ticket to someone else.
All your food needs will be met on site. You will be able to purchase a ticket in the run up to the festival to cover all your meals - which is dinner on Friday, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday (drinks not included). Alternatively, you can pay for your meals as you go, although it will be a bit more expensive per meal. There will be a bar serving alcoholic drinks at reasonable prices. Hot drinks and snacks will also be available to purchase throughout the day.
Please bring your own cup to Otherfield! We try to keep waste to a minimum at Otherfield so use proper cups, plates and glasses where we can and wash up what we use. We’re not going to ask you to bring a full crockery set, but bringing our own mugs would help us cut back!
Most people who attend Otherfield camp in the designated camping field. Camping, with access to compost loos, outdoor showers and running water are all included in the ticket price. The camping field is a short walk away from the main festival hub where all the screenings and workshops take place. Tents and bedding are not supplied and camp fires are not allowed, but there will be a large bonfire in the middle of the field to sit around in the evening. There is also space for camper vans.
The site address is: Laughton Lodge, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6BY
Getting here by car: If using a sat nav, please use “Common Lane, Laughton” to find us. Laughton is about 6 miles outside of Lewes, and the festival site is just before Laughton village when approaching from Lewes. Signs for Otherfield will be on the Laughton Road/Common Lane junction. Entrance to the festival will be on Common Lane. Please follow the signs. Please park in the car park field on either side of the entrance. Camper vans should park in the south-east corner of the car park field, near the entrance to the camping field.
If you are driving and you haven't bought a parking ticket yet- please do, via the ticket box office.
Getting here by train: Nearest stations are Uckfield and Lewes. Uckfield is closer to site than Lewes, although both stations are the same distance from London (roughly 70 minutes). Brighton to Lewes is 15 minutes. If there is enough interest a shuttle bus can be arranged to pick people up at specific times.
The festival finishes at 5pm on the Sunday. The shuttle bus will start doing runs to Uckfield station from 5pm and there are regular trains returning.
Please note that public transport is limited in the area. Buses into Lewes run Monday – Friday 5 times a day only. Local taxi services are also available if you can't make any of the above times and the address to give the taxi driver is: Common Ln, Laughton, Lewes BN8 6BY.