Free film viewings, talks and workshops are on the agenda as the programme for this year’s Rob Knox Film Festival is revealed. LINDA PIPER reports.

THE Bexley film festival, launched in 2008 and renamed after the murdered Harry Potter actor the following year, has attracted more than 200 entries this year from home and abroad.

These included 21 from Bexley residents or groups and 69 made by young people, with more than 3,000 minutes of film to be viewed by the panel.

The opening night of this year’s festival takes place on May 31 at the New Generation Church in Birkbeck Road, Sidcup.

A total of 49 films have been selected for screening at venues including Townley Grammar School, Bexley College, Danson Youth Centre and Erith Rowing Club.

But the climax will be the awards night at Bexleyheath Cineworld on June 8 where the winning films will be screened and the awards presented.

Festival is a collaboration between the Rob Knox Foundation, which tries to raise the dangers of knife crime among young people, St Catherine’s Catholic School for Girls, Bexley College, Townley Grammar School, Cineworld, Marriott Hotel, Diviniti Publishing, Erith Rowing Club, New Generation Church, Pointless Taxi Productions and a number of individuals.

Its panel of judges this year include film producer Ben Trebilcook, writer Colin Fancy, actor Graham Cole and Rob’s brother and actor Jamie Knox.

Among the awards up for grabs at the festival are best film, best screenplay, best director, best Bexley film, best community film, best actor and best actress.

There will also be an award for the best 99 per cent film.

London’s 99 per cent campaign aims to highlight the fact that 99 per cent of young Londoners are not involved in crime and anti-social behaviour, but contribute positively to their community.

Free talks and workshops

ONE of the highlights of this year’s festival, will be a series of free talks and workshops by industry professionals.

These will take place at the central library in Townley Road, Bexleyheath, on June 4.

They kick off at 10am with an improvisation workshop run by television and film actress Sue Jackson.

Film maker Gareth Fient who trained the winner of last year’s best editing category, will run an editing workshop for beginners at 11am, demostrating the basics of film editing and using music effectively.

A special effects expert Mark Holt, whose credits include The King’s Speech, Sherlock Holmes and Nanny McFee, will lead a discussion at noon on how to bring an illusion of reality to scripts.

From 2pm two professional writers will give a 50 minute practical session on how to turn an idea into a film story, develop a film pitch and turn the outline into a full script.

The last event of the day will be a talk at 3pm by festival director Mick Wearing on ways to fiund funding for low budget films.

To book a place email mick.wearing@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8284 5555 or visit Bexleyheath library .

Free film screenings across the borough

THERE will be a chance for everyone to turn armchair film critic during this year’s Rob Knox Film Festival, with screenings across the borough of some of the festival entries.

They begin with festival launch at the New Generation Church, Birkbeck Road, Sidcup on May 31 from 7pm to 9.30pm.

The next screenings take place at Danson Youth Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, on June 3 from 7pm to 9.30pm, followed by Bexley College, Tower Road, Erith on June 6 from 4pm, and Townley Grammar School, Townley Road, Bexleyheath, on June 7, starting at 7pm.

All the screenings are free and there is no need to book a place.

The final screening and awards presentation takes place at Cineworld in Bexleyheath Broadway on June 8 from 6pm.

This event is also free, but admission is by ticket only, available by emailing mick.wearing@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8284 5555.