A FILM shot in parts of Derbyshire has attracted worldwide interest after being showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.

Director Deborah Hadfield is now hoping to secure a distributor for her romantic thriller – The Kindness of Strangers – which could see the movie shown in cinemas across the world.

The film, which stars David Prowse, who is best known for playing Darth Vader in Star Wars, was shot on location in parts of South Derbyshire, including Swadlincote and Barton Marina.

And former journalist Deborah, of Burton, is already scouting out possible locations in the county for her next movie, the Sweetest Love.

She said: "Being at Cannes was an great experience and we have had an amazing response to the film.

"As a result of the screening we now have interest from all over the world, which is a dream come true.

"We are now in talks with various distributors and agents so now we just have to wait and see what happens."

The Kindness of Strangers tells the story of a freelance photographer who meets a girl while travelling, only for his past to catch up with him.

As well as being filmed in parts of Burton, Rolleston and Staffordshire, it was also shot in parts of Italy.

Deborah was joined by members of the cast for the screening at the prestigious festival a fortnight ago and said having them there was better than the glitz and glamour of the event.

She said: "Cannes is one of those places where you can bump into all sorts of celebrities.

"Unfortunately we didn't get chance to have a drink with Russell Crowe or take tea with Kate Blanchett.

"I was very lucky to have some of the cast and crew with me for the screening and that was one of the things that made it exciting for me, not just the glitz and glamour."

Deborah, who stopped working as a broadcast journalist in 2006 to pursue a career in filmmaking, said she had already lined up Repton school as a location for her next movie project.

She said: "What I love about filming in Derbyshire is that it is quintessentially English.

"I think it is one of the most beautiful places on earth and easily matches places such as the Alps and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, where other scenes from the film were shot."

Award-winning director Mike Leigh's film, Another Year, scenes from which were shot in Derby also premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

The cast and crew spent a week filming in Stanton Street, Normanton, for the movie, which narrowly missed out on winning the Palme D'or – or the best film – at the festival.