The force is strong with New Forest Film Festival set for 2020 return

THIS year's New Forest Film Festival gave the region’s economy a £15,000 boost and is set to return in 2020.

A nine-day celebration of all things film, it featured 46 events across 15 venues, including the first ComicCon at Brockenhurst College, a short-film competition, film screenings, workshops, movie theme quizzes and opportunities for film makers to network.

It was organised by the district council’s Film: New Forest initiative, with Gary Wronecki and Michael Van Koetsveld partnering for the competition section.

That began in 2016 and it has built a successful partnership with Creative England to attract more commercial film crews to the district.

Parts of the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise Solo: A Star Wars Story and Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation were shot at Fawley power station, while filming for ITV drama series Unforgotten took place at Lymington Quay and The Crown at Rhinefield House Hotel.

Cllr Michael Harris, NFDC cabinet member for local economic development, property and innovation, and a driving force behind Film: New Forest, hailed its success.

“Over 3,000 people took part in one or more of the events during the festival,” he said. “As well as supporting the amazing local talent we have here, we estimate this activity brought with it a £15,000 boost to the New Forest economy.”

A spokesperson for the council added next year’s festival would likely take place in September. The first was held in 2018.

More information on the event is available at www.filmnewforest.com.