Rob Knox

This year’s Rob Knox film festival has received more than 200 entries compared with 50 last year.

Jamie and his mum Sally Knox

The nine day festival which will screen 49 films as well as put on talks and workshops, is due to open on Tuesday, May 31 throughout Bexley.

This year it received 21 entries from Bexley and 69 from young people.

It was set up three years ago in memory of Rob Knox, 18, who was murdered in Sidcup in May 2008, and appeared as the character Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

This year’s highlights include a talk by special effects supervisor Mark Holt, who worked on the multi Oscar winning The King’s Speech, Sherlock Holmes and Nanny McPhee.

Colin Knox and Rob's friends Aaron Truss

Rob’s father Colin Knox, said: “The festival has got bigger and bigger every year.

“Last year we had a man come over from America with his family to collect an award. We can’t believe how big it has got. It started out as a festival for local filmmakers which it still hasn’t lost sight of.”

The judging panel will be made up of former Welling School pupil, Hollywood producer and screenwriter Ben Trebilcook, who last year read out a message from Tom Cruise which said: “I wish everyone involved great success. It is a very worthy cause.”. The panel will also include screen writer Colin Fancy, actor Graham Cole who played Tony Stamp in The Bill and Rob’s brother Jamie Knox.

Entries come from across the world and tackle a range of subjects from domestic violence to the environment.

Awards up for grabs are Best Film, Best Screenwriting, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Bexley Film, Best Community Film and best 99 per cent Film, which raises the profile of positive activity by young people.

For tickets email mick.wearing@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8284 5555.