A FILM made by a local company has celebrated its Basingstoke premiere.

Tea for Two is the latest short film release from Pork Chop Pictures. A comedy set in a quiet tea shop where everything is not as it seems, it stars John Challis (Only Fools & Horses) and Amanda Barrie (Coronation Street).

After producing award-winning zero-budget short films over the last few years, Mark Brennan and Carl Austin, the Basingstoke-based duo behind Pork Chop Pictures, wanted to take their film-making to the next level.

This meant hiring a full production crew as well as approaching big name actors for the two lead roles. As a result, they partnered up with London-based Mini Productions and raised the money needed to produce the project.

They were aided by generous private investment from luxury cake company Fiona Cairns and the film was also financed via online crowd-funding platform Indiegogo, where people were able to contribute to the costs of making the film in exchange for rewards.

As many of the Tea for Two backers were friends and family of Mark and Carl, the duo were keen to showcase the film locally.

A crowd gathered in Vue in Festival Place recently to watch the film on the big screen.

Mark, the film’s writer and director, said: “We’re very proud of the film we’ve been able to produce with the help of so many people, and hugely grateful to Vue Cinemas for letting us show the finished article.

“Andrew and his team were so supportive and could not have looked after us better on the night. To show our film in a real cinema on the big screen was incredible.”

Tea for Two is being considered for prestigious film festivals around the world, including some recognised by BAFTA.

Find out more online at teafortwofilm.com.