Mark Jones is partnerships manager at Destination Basingstoke. He has worked in Basingstoke for 26 years, including 13 years as editor of the Gazette and eight years as director of communications and fundraising at Ark Cancer Charity.

THERE are many cultural and artistic gems in Basingstoke and Deane – and the award-winning Exit 6 Film Festival is undoubtedly a jewel in the crown.

Last Saturday saw the eighth instalment of the annual festival, and this increasingly popular event is going from strength to strength.

The quality of the films at the top 100 world-rated festival is consistently strong, and each year sees the bar being set high across the various film disciplines where the awards are handed out.

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Watching the blocks of short films is certainly an emotional roller coaster as the audience is taken on a ride through many genres. It’s a festival that can make you laugh, cry and leaves you with plenty of food for thought long after the credits have rolled.

Over the years, the festival has evolved to the point where its online presence co-stars with the live one-day event, and more town centre food and drink outlets have become involved and benefit from featuring in the festival line-up.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council deserves credit for being a long-standing supporter of Exit 6, and it is an investment that is set to bear even greater return in terms of profile and prominence for Basingstoke now the annual festival is BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) accredited.

Of course, the biggest shout-out goes to the Exit 6 film festival team – a volunteer collective of passionate film industry experts and enthusiasts whose hard work and talent have added this shining star to the borough’s cultural firmament.

Destination Basingstoke is proud to be among the event supporters, and we hope that next September, even more local people and businesses will get involved in the next chapter of this success story. Find out more at exit6filmfestival.com.

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Talking of success stories, another page will be written in the history of the Destination Basingstoke Phillips Law Half Marathon and 10k race on Sunday, October 1

Team DB are delighted that the number of registered runners has shot up this year to nearly 1,000, and thanks to headline sponsor Phillips Law, we are also looking forward to introducing two free-to-enter new children’s races.

The Destination Basingstoke Phillips Law Half Marathon and 10k is an epic community effort – one where runners, great local business sponsors, an army of volunteers, and supportive residents play key roles in an event that showcases Basingstoke and its beautiful surrounding countryside.

Good luck to everyone taking part and a particular shout out to the runners who will be raising money for good causes. As it says on the tin: Run it; See it; Enjoy it.