A NEW Sky movie has been filmed in Epping Forest, with the help of the Essex Film Office.

Essex will be hitting TV screens this weekend as a new Sky movie filmed in Stapleford Abbotts gets its premier (22 December).

Bad Tidings features Strictly Come Dancing 2024 winner Chris McCausland and comedian Lee Mack.

The feel-good Christmas movie follows neighbours Neil (Lee Mack) and Scott (Chris McCausland) as they fight it out to become the new head of neighbourhood watch and the Christmas lights.

Early last year, Essex County Council’s dedicated film office was contacted by the production team looking for a suitable location to film.

The Essex Film Office helped find suitable sites. Production then decided on a new housing development in Stapleford Abbots as the perfect choice. Filming took place at the site In April for around a month. The film will be released on Sky and NOW on 22 December.

Essex has been a popular choice for many films and TV shows over the years with the Essex Film Office helping recommend and identify various locations and help coordinate filming.

Many a-list stars like Tom Cruise, Gail Gadot, Toby Jones, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt have travelled to film in Essex.

Hollywood star Dame Helen Mirren, who is from Essex, has offered her support to the first ever Essex International Film Festival.

The Festival will take place across the county from 27 to 30 March 2025. It has been made possible thanks to part funding from the Council’s Arts and Cultural Fund.

Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture said:

“Essex is an amazing place to live, work and Visit. It’s great that the county is being recognised and showcased at this level and to international audiences.

“There is lots of potential in Essex and our Arts and Cultural Fund is helping talented people and organisations in the county to flourish and showcase all the wonderful things they can do.”

Find out more about the festival- www.essexinternationalfilmfestival.com

Find out more about the Essex Film Office- https://essexfilmoffice.co.uk/