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Darkwood Manor is a new movie by young up-and-coming director Liam Hooper

A young film-maker will have his film screened at the Duke of York’s Picture House on 10 September.

Liam Hooper, 17, made Darkwood Manor with fellow students, teachers, friends and family over a period of three years.

Darkwood Manor is actually a Year 8 role playing exercise but the project became bigger when one of Liam’s tutors challenged him to make a film before he left school.

Many of his influences come from the Scream series of horror films, especially the Nick Cave soundtrack which he also uses, and much of the film was shot in Brighton’s historic Stanmer House.

Liam said: “I was incredibly lucky to be given permission to film at Stanmer House which provided this fantastic balance of old world grandeur combined with a classically chilling horror movie atmosphere.”

The plot centres around a group of students who stay in a haunted house to raise money to save their school, but once they arrive they start to mysteriously disappear.

Tickets are £8 or £7 for concessions and can be purchased online at www.picturehouses.co.uk or at the box office on 08719025728.

Chris Dyer

Thousands revelled in the sunshine at Hove Lawns to make this year’s Paddle Round the Pier the biggest beach festival in Europe.

Nearly 50,000 spectators watched skateboarding, BMX riding and live music as well as the obligatory ‘paddle round the pier’ and crowd favourite ‘paddle something unusual’.

Dave Samuel, event director, said : “The smiling faces of every one present said it all. My favourites this year have been the sandy beach we built on the prom and, as always, the disability accessibility beach.”

Donations made by visitors were for Teenage Cancer Trust, the RNLI and Surf Relief.

To see photos, videos and news of next year’s event as well as to find out the total amount raised, go to www.paddleroundtheoier.com and www.facebook.com/paddleroundthepier.com

Chris Dyer

A record made to raise money for life saving HIV drugs will be released on 28 July at the Royal Oak Hotel, Brighton.

Louis Brown, 34, wrote and produced Angel of Mine as part of the Keep a Child Alive Campaign to help provide treatment to children in Africa and India.

The inspiration for the song came after the death of his close friend and he aims to raise £20,000 for the charity.

Louis said: “Once I discovered the Keep a Child Alive charity I found a way to take a sad experience and turn it into a positive situation that could help others.

“In the UK many people think HIV and AIDS has gone away. We take for granted that people have access to treatment, education and good nutrition. But for the majority of people living in poorer countries this simply isn’t true.”

Keep a Child Alive provides treatment, care and support to children and their families in Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya and India.

Many Brighton based organisations are sponsoring the campaign, such as Pamoja, Midnight Communication and Jackfruit Media, that filmed and produced the promotional film.

The record launch will also have raffle prizes, including a weekend break in Loch Lomand in Scotland, a pair of Toy watches, champagne and other prizes.

To support the charity you can download the single from iTunes or Amazon or to donate text MINE99 followed by the amount to 70070.

Chris Dyer

A disabled man from Worthing is appealing for funding to help complete a film about his muscle wasting condition.

Jon Hastie, 30, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was three and needs round the clock care.

Duchenne is a progressive, muscular wasting disease and Jon has already lived longer then expected.

Despite his condition Jon completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics and International Relations, a Masters in Environmental Studies and a Ph.D in Government.

He said: “I wanted my film to document my meeting with fellow people with Duchenne whilst highlighting the positive angle of their lives.”

Production of A Life Worth Living began in 2010 but it is only half complete and he needs to raise a further £50,000 to finish the project.

The inspiration for the film came when Jon saw Darius Goes West: The Roll of his Life, a film about Darius Weems, who also has Duchenne, journey 7,000 miles across America.

He is still hopeful of completing the film in time for the industry awards season in September as he recently completed a road trip around the UK and will soon be returning to Amsterdam to meet his final interviewee.

For further details or to donate visit www.alifeworthlivingfilm.com

Chris Dyer