THE Malvern Hills are in the spotlight at a film festival in Hereford that opens next week.

The Screen WM’s two week festival will feature the film Special People, a heart-warming tale that was filmed on top of the Malvern Hills.

Made by West Midlands film maker Justin Edgar, the film premiered at the Edinburgh international Film Festival in 2007.

The festival features films that, like Special People, have been inspired by, produced or filmed in the West Midlands. Other films include Tom Shankland’s Christmas thriller The Children, Fainheart, winner of the MySpace Movie Mashup competition, and Straightheads, which was filmed in the Wye Forest.

The festival screenings from November 16-29 will take place at The Courtyard in Hereford and will be free of charge and selected films will include special Q&A sessions with writers and directors.

“This is a chance for people to enjoy some exceptional films that all have their roots in the West Midlands,” said Dr Samir Shah, chairman of the Screen West Midlands board.

For further information or to book tickets visit www.screenwm.co.uk/festival-of-film-2009