A FILM which has won production funding is due to be shot in parts of Bournemouth and Poole.

The Sunstone production company beat off over 300 applications to receive £5,000 as part of the latest round of Creative England’s iShorts, delivered as part of the BFI NET.WORK - an agency which supports new and emerging filmmakers.

As well as some much-needed cash, they will receive editorial support, mentoring and professional development from the Creative England talent development team.

Their film, which will be shot in July once locations are confirmed by the local authorities, is called Run It Off.

Creative director Liam O’Hara said: “Run it Off is a story about a long-distance runner who has lost his way in life.

“He inadvertently saves a young woman from throwing herself off a bridge. As their efforts to get home take a detour, a night-time jog through the city reveals how each can gain enough courage to face the next day.

“In the best traditions of Chariots of Fire or Silver Linings Playbook, the characters use running as a way of helping them to deal with their personal problems.”

The team have also received support from the Bournemouth Film School at the Arts University Bournemouth, with many alumni and current students involved in the production.

“To me, Run It Off is a personal story told in a cinematic [way],” Liam added. “Think of the way two opposites attract in many movies; picture this as they run, rather than date, and you’ve got an idea of the film we are going to make. It’s a run-com, rather than a rom-com.”

Writer and producer Will Shutt said: “It’s a film about getting over tough moments in your life. In our story, this begins with our characters coming together and starting their newfound friendship, realising what running has the potential of doing. Running is incredibly popular in Bournemouth, so we’re really excited to be drawing a little on that with our film.”

Creative England’s head of film, Caroline Cooper-Charles, added: “Supporting talented filmmakers at the start of their careers has to be one of the most rewarding aspects of our work. [The] iShorts go from strength to strength and it’s brilliant to see another collection of stories and teams from every corner of England come together to embark on their journey through development and production. I can’t wait to see the finished results.”