Special stunt event for young film fans

Youngsters are falling over themselves to take part in a stunt workshop as part of a film festival now in its 29th year.

A special stunt Saturday will be held at the Purbeck Film Festival, giving young people the chance to learn hands-on skills from professionals in the industry.

The event in Bovington, Dorset, on November 2, is the first of its kind for the festival and is sold out.

Stuntwoman Annabel Canaven, who has appeared in films including Skyfall and Batman, will be among those leading the session.

A number of films featuring stunt actors will be shown during the two-week long festival, which acclaimed director Sam Mendes will open on Friday in Swanage, Dorset ahead of a screening of his war film 1917.

World-famous high wire artist Jade Kindar-Martin cycles across a 120 metre (400 ft) long high wire (Ben Birchall/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Ben Birchall

A spokesperson for the festival said: “This year we are celebrating those often overlooked heroes of film, the stuntmen and women who take huge risks to enthral us with their ever more spectacular set pieces.”

A spokesperson for Film Hub South West, which supports a growing network of over 130 cinemas, film festivals, cross-arts venues and other film exhibition organisations, said: “Stunt Saturday will be a celebration of action films and the awe-inspiring skills of stuntpeople, whose athleticism and selflessness creates the magical world of action which we all enjoy on the big screen.”

The British Film Institute is launching an Art of Action season celebrating the artistry of real action choreography.

Events will be held in the coming months at cinemas across the UK, including insights from those working in action and stunt communities, demonstrations, talks and screenings.