Rowan Atkinson to honour inspiration for Mr Bean at Purbeck Film Festival

Actor Rowan Atkinson will join one of UK's longest-running rural film festivals for an event honouring a French comic genius who inspired Mr Bean.

From 16 October to 1 November, the Purbeck Film Festival, which was founded in 1996, will run screenings and events in Corfe Castle, village halls, secret gardens, restaurants and stately homes across Dorset.

One of them is a Jacques Tati day at The Mowlem theatre in Swanage - Atkinson has credited the Academy Award filmmaker, actor and mime as an inspiration for his iconic comic character.

Festival organisers said that exclusive previews, Cannes prize-winners, UK premieres and local stories were also part of its 30th anniversary programme.

Since its inception, the festival has grown beyond its modest first year with 1,700 visitors across 21 screenings.

It has featured guests over the years include The Queen director Stephen Frears, cinematographer Jack Cardiff and actress Dame Maggie Smith.

The festival said that patrons, actor and playwright Sir Mark Rylance and filmmaker Sir Sam Mendes, "continue a legacy built on rural roots and quiet ambition".

Reflecting on the milestone, Sir Mark called the anniversary "quite remarkable" , adding that small festivals like Purbeck are a "godsend for filmmakers" that help nurture the human heart of cinema.

One attendee praised the variety of venues and said they were seeing films "which I would probably not see at a traditional cinema".

This year's edition will also see BAFTA-winning director Philippa Lowthorpe presenting her adaptation H Is for Hawk, starring Claire Foy at St Mary's Church in Swanage.

Festival director Claire Burns said it had "always belonged to the communities of Purbeck and the audiences who travel from across the country to be part of something truly special".

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