Sir Sam Mendes Joins Purbeck Film Fest for a Star-Studded Return!

The Purbeck Film Festival is making its return to Dorset, and this year it is welcoming a new patron, Sir Sam Mendes, the Academy Award-winning director. Mendes expressed his excitement about joining the festival, saying he was 'delighted' to support the event. The festival will be held across more than 30 venues, including churches, village halls, and a museum, making it accessible to people all over Dorset.

This year’s festival promises a variety of highlights. The Fox acting family will make appearances, and there will be a special Q&A session with director Dan Pringle and actor Laurent Lucas after the screening of their film 'Die Before You Die' at Durlston Castle. Another notable event is the screening of 'War Paint: Women At War,' with director Margy Kinmonth attending at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth. The festival will feature over 90 films and documentaries from around the world, running from 17 October to 2 November.

Festival chair Andrea Etherington described Sir Sam Mendes’ involvement as 'a great honour,' emphasizing that his support is especially meaningful as the festival continues to thrive and grow. One of the festival’s most anticipated events is the screening of 'The Servant,' starring James Fox and Dirk Bogarde, followed by a discussion and Q&A with four members of the Fox family at The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage. The festival will conclude with the Purbeck Short Film Competition, which received over 2,000 entries. The shortlisted films will be shown in full, and both judges and audience members will vote for their favorites. The festival encourages local stories and invites people to contact BBC Dorset with news.