At the signing of Derbyshire’s new ‘film friendly’ partnership at QUAD, Derby’s centre for art and film, are (left to right): Adam Buss, Director of Audience Engagement at QUAD; Councillor Carol Hart of Derbyshire County Council; David Thornton of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and Stephen Badham of Creative England.

Film buffs are being reminded that they can enjoy classic movies such as Casablanca and contemporary blockbusters like War Horse in stunning locations across Derbyshire as the seal is set on an exciting and economically promising new venture.

Official tourist board Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and Derbyshire County Council have signed up to a ‘film friendly’ partnership with Creative England – a new agency charged with ensuring a dynamic and economically successful future for creative industries outside London.

And the importance of film and television to the area’s tourism offer was further underscored as the three organisations made their pledge during the Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival 2012, jointly promoted by Derby QUAD, the city’s centre for art and film, and the tourist board.

The Festival was launched at Elvastion Castle, Sudbury Hall and Renishaw Hall & Gardens this spring – and a second wave of outdoor movies on the big screen is about to start at Rosliston Forestry Centre in the National Forest. Hit 1970s musical Grease (PG – 13) will be screened there on Friday July 20, followed by Oscar-winning The King’s Speech (12A) on Saturday July 21, both at 7.30pm.

Future screenings will be held from now until September at:

• Queen’s Park, Chesterfield: Mamma Mia (PG) on Friday July 27 at 7:30pm and Jurassic Park (PG) on Saturday July 28 at 7:30pm
• Calke Abbey: The Woman in Black (12A) on Friday August 10 at 7:00pm and Mamma Mia (PG) on Saturday August 11 at 7:00pm
• Kedleston Hall: The 39 Steps (U) on Friday August 17 at 7:00pm and Pride and Prejudice (U) on Saturday August 18 at 7:00pm
• Hardwick Hall: War Horse (12A) on Friday August 31 at 7:00pm and Casablanca (U) on Saturday September 1 at 7:00pm
• The Lime Kiln, Wirksworth: The Woman in Black (12A) on Friday September 7 at 7:00pm and Grease (PG-13) on Saturday September 8 at 7:00pm
• The Pavilion, Rolls-Royce Leisure, Derby: War Horse (12A) on Friday September 14 at 5:30pm and Battle of Britain (PG) on Saturday September 15 at 5:30pm

“Supporting film and TV tourism and imaginative initiatives like the Summer Night Outdoor Film Festival is vitally important in the Peak District, on a number of levels,” said David Thornton, Head of Marketing and Deputy Chief Executive at the tourist board.

“Not only does it bring in income while film crews are here, by supporting local accommodation providers and a range of other service-focused enterprises, it also attracts further business, an extra economic boost and a higher profile for the area when a film or television series is transmitted.

“We are delighted to be working with Creative England and Derbyshire County Council to maximise the economic, employment and promotional benefits that filming can bring.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Leader Councillor Andrew Lewer said: “I am pleased that we are to join forces with Creative England and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire to welcome film and television productions to our county. We have a long history of films and television programmes being filmed in Derbyshire and we will do all we can to encourage more.”

Stephen Badham, Senior Production Liaison Manager at Creative England added: “TV film and production is an important industry, and contributes millions of pounds to local economies.

“That’s why Creative England is developing Film Friendly Partnerships, which provide a very strong statement of intent to production companies looking to film in the wonderful locations of the English regions. In Derbyshire, for example we’ve got Chatsworth, which has starred in a number of locally shot productions, including Pride and Prejudice and, more recently The Wolfman, while Sky1’s Starlings was filmed in Matlock.

“This scheme shows filmmakers they will be dealt with in an efficient and friendly manner. By signing up to it, Derbyshire County Council and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire are showing the film and television production sector that they are committed to supporting the exciting and economically important work they do.”