Catch up with all the latest news across your county with Finn Macdiarmid.
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00:00Hello and welcome to Kentonite live on KMTV.
00:29I'm Finn McDermid and here are your top stories on Thursday the 10th of October.
00:33Not going to cut it.
00:36Kent's indie filmmakers say tax relief doesn't go far enough.
00:40The hardest thing we found was actually finding a distribution deal in the UK and for cinemas to accept the film.
00:47Strength in mind. The team GB athletes using sport to teach Kent schools about positive mental health.
00:54Also I never walk and I managed to become an international long jumper.
00:58And keeping Kent green as for ancient woodlands are under threat.
01:02One Kent charity is fundraising to protect them.
01:05Too much development can cause nutrient runoff into the habitats.
01:08But also there's things like the loss of ancient woodland.
01:21First tonight from James Bond to Harry Potter.
01:24Plenty of famous films have been shot right here in the county.
01:27But a new tax credit from the government could help smaller productions get off the ground here in Kent.
01:33But while the Department of Culture, Media and Sport says it will boost jobs.
01:38Others say more needs to be done.
01:40Well Oliver leader de Sacks has all the action.
01:43From Hollywood to the historic dockyard.
01:46From the red carpet to Margate.
01:49You've almost certainly seen Kent on screen.
01:52With dozens of high profile blockbusters and award winning dramas being made in the county over the years.
02:01And I think that it's very crucial to ensure that films which are made in the county get all the proper recognition that's needed.
02:08Often films for example Cine World in Dover will often show films that are set in the local area.
02:13I've seen plenty of films that are showing only in Ashford or maybe only in Rochester.
02:18But behind the lights and cameras a lot of those producing the films being shot in Kent are actually big studios.
02:26And the government want to see more big British indie hits.
02:30Darlings like Afterlife and Billy Elliot.
02:33And that's why they're introducing tax credits for new filmmakers.
02:38The new tax credit will save more than 53% on films under a certain budget.
02:45The government say the tax relief will inspire the next generation of talent.
02:50While the BFI say it will have a game changing impact on the industry.
02:55But to qualify films need to pass the British Film Institute cultural test.
03:01Which has caused some concern.
03:04Will these films have to reflect particularly positive views of Britain?
03:09Would they have to take a particular political viewpoint?
03:14Would they have to have a particular ideology?
03:19One indie film shot right here in the county was Vindication Swim.
03:24Using the idyllic waters of Sheerness to resurrect the memory of the first British woman to swim the channel.
03:32The film's producer says that this tax credit isn't the only thing independent filmmakers need to succeed.
03:41Despite the film being filmed out in the English channel and having COVID to contend with.
03:47The hardest thing we found was actually finding a distribution deal in the UK.
03:51And for cinemas to accept the film.
03:54We were told you'll get one or two weeks as a maximum.
03:57Having taken a year to find a deal.
03:59We ended up having an 18 week run in cinemas.
04:02Which was unbelievable you know and they never could believe that happened.
04:06A first step then.
04:08But with film making set to be a key part of Kent's economy going forward.
04:12A welcome one.
04:14Oliver leads the sacks on the silver screen for KNTV.
04:18The government have told us that our new tax relief has been widely recognised across the industry.
04:23For the major benefit it will deliver.
04:26Helping independent British film unlock its true potential.
04:29And create jobs, growth and investment in every nation and region.
04:33That sounds lovely but what do you make of it Chris?
04:35Well I think it's really exciting.
04:37Because it also means you know COVID was mentioned in the report there.
04:40And Vindication Swim which was made during that period.
04:43I think that this is a real opportunity now.
04:45For Kent to reappear on the map.
04:47Just watching Oliver's report there.
04:49Seeing all the different films in different locations.
04:51I saw The Beekeeper.
04:52I didn't realise that was filmed here.
04:54Just a few months ago at the beginning of the year in January.
04:56I saw that at Cineworld in Rochester.
04:58So there is a real sense now that there is money that can be made.
05:01It can generate tourism.
05:02You know I always think about the time that I went to San Francisco.
05:05But never got to see the Mrs Doubtfire house.
05:07We can do the same in Kent.
05:08There are plenty of locations here.
05:09Chatham Yard just literally a few minutes away from where we are.
05:12And this can be a real haven.
05:14A real opportunity for filmmaking and for income generation that will follow.
05:18Of course.
05:19And do you think Kent in the future could be.
05:22Does it have a bright future?
05:23Could it have more films in the county?
05:25Yeah and when you consider films like Empire of Light Oscar nominated.
05:28That are made in this county.
05:30When you think of Tom Cruise Mission Impossible.
05:32We're already doing it.
05:34So it's not as though it's like is it possible to have all these great movie stars.
05:37Appearing here in Kent.
05:38They're already coming here.
05:40But often we don't know about it.
05:41I watch films at cinemas in Kent.
05:43But don't realise until afterwards.
05:45Often when I'm sitting in this very studio.
05:47That when we're recording for Kent Film Club.
05:49That those films have actually been made in the county.
05:52So I think we need to really all get our act together.
05:54And pioneer this and promulgate this.
05:57And really quickly.
05:58We haven't got much time left.
05:59But if you had to make a film in Kent.
06:01What kind of film would you make?
06:02Oh I would make a film.
06:03That is very much about.
06:05Very nostalgia driven.
06:06You'd expect me to say that.
06:07You can imagine the train pulling into the station.
06:09You know drawing on different eras of Kent's history and past.
06:12And the different tourism and academic.
06:14And all sorts of innovations and industries here.
06:16I'm picturing a long panning shot across Kent's coast.
06:19Well I think we're all very excited to see Kent's filmmaking future.
06:24Next to night.
06:25A fire has destroyed the inside of the former Hen and Chicks pub in Chatham.
06:31As you can see now.
06:33The fire and smoke has caused significant damage to the inside of the building.
06:37Which was closed all the way back in 2019.
06:39Fire crews wearing breathing devices extinguished the flames in the morning.
06:43Leaving by nine.
06:44There were no reported injuries.
06:46And the cause is still unknown to us at this time.
06:49According to a witness who saw the aftermath of the fire.
06:51The smoke damage was particularly visible.
06:54Some sports news now.
06:57And former owner and chairman of Gillingham FC.
06:59Has voiced his feelings over the potential decision.
07:02To remove him from the club's administration entirely.
07:05Paul Scalley says he was completely isolated from the club.
07:09After being in charge for 27 years.
07:12Only stepping down from his original position.
07:14When the Gills were relegated from League One in 2022.
07:17With a shareholders meeting happening today.
07:20To consider removing him as a club director.
07:22Scalley has said it feels like they're trying to destroy him.
07:26He also stated that the current situation.
07:28Is due to a poor level of communication amongst the club.
07:32Gillingham Football Club declined to respond to his comments.
07:35Well we'll bring you more on this tomorrow.
07:38Now knowing how to deal with stress, anxiety and pressure.
07:42Can help to jump over life's hurdles.
07:44But is it being taught enough in Kent's classrooms?
07:47Ashford Leisure Centre hosted Team GB athletes.
07:50On World Mental Health Awareness Day today.
07:52To tell their stories of overcoming obstacles.
07:54From international competition to personal struggles.
07:57For schools from across the county.
07:59Well I went down earlier to find out more.
08:01It's World Mental Health Day today.
08:04And a few different schools have travelled to the Stour Leisure Centre.
08:07In Ashford to learn more about mental health.
08:09Mocks, exams and deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life.
08:12There's a lot of pressure on the shoulders of young people today.
08:15And not just learning a curriculum.
08:17But learning key life skills.
08:19Like managing adversity, dealing with stress and anxiety.
08:22Is something these schools also want their students to learn.
08:25But the teachers aren't quite who you might expect.
08:28Former Olympic and Paralympic athletes from a variety of sports.
08:31Like long jump, 400 metres and fly swimming.
08:34The athletes gave talks to Year 10s, 11s and 12s.
08:38From different schools around Kent.
08:40On their personal journeys.
08:42With four time Olympian, gold winning long distance runner Mo Farah.
08:46And Arsenal player Beth Mead sending in video messages.
08:49Even myself for many, many years I struggled.
08:52And I had lucky enough had my family who supported me.
08:56Who stood by and heard my story by them.
08:59Me talking about it with them.
09:01It gave me courage to come forward and talk about it.
09:04We all have a story.
09:06So whatever you guys do.
09:08Believe in yourself.
09:09Keep working hard.
09:10And don't be afraid.
09:11Former Paralympian Ryan Raghu spoke on the trials he faced.
09:15Being an ethnic minority athlete with cerebral palsy.
09:18Changing sports from running to long jump to wheelchair rugby.
09:21And his own personal struggles.
09:23I think the key message or the overriding for a lot of them to take.
09:27Is they can do it.
09:28If you look at the story I've told them.
09:30What I've had to overcome.
09:31I was told I'd never walk.
09:33And I managed to become an international long jumper.
09:35People are going to tell them no.
09:38People are going to have expectations of them that may be lower than themselves.
09:42Don't believe that.
09:43If you want to do something go and do it.
09:45After the presentations and a brief Q&A session.
09:48The students were taught some sitting volleyball.
09:50With an emphasis on what sport and exercise can do for your mental health.
09:54I was told that the students were given workbooks.
09:57And I wanted to know how those might help students with mental health awareness.
10:01People get caught up in the moment.
10:03In the hustle and bustle of life.
10:04And they don't really know what they're doing.
10:06And what they want to achieve.
10:07It's just that time for that reflection.
10:09Just to turn around and go.
10:10You know what.
10:11This is what I want to do.
10:12This is how I'm going to get there.
10:14And there's five years plans in there.
10:16And there's life goals in there.
10:18So just having that little bit of reflection time.
10:20With many different techniques on how to manage your own mental health.
10:23Shared throughout the day.
10:24The main takeaway was to talk about things.
10:27And not just bottle things up.
10:28And with all the physical activity.
10:30Some hydration was needed too.
10:32Finn McDermid for KMTV in Ashford.
10:36And finally, straight after the break.
10:38We will be bringing you the Kent Tonight special.
10:40Kent's Woodlands.
10:41Kent Wildlife Trust are raising half a million pounds.
10:44To protect the Garden of England.
10:46Well, here's a sneak peek.
10:52This is the largest area of ancient woodlands in the southeast.
10:55From the perspective of the wildlife.
10:57Thousands of people come into the local area.
10:59It's going to have a huge impact.
11:00Too much development can cause nutrient runoff into the habitats.
11:03But also there's things like the loss of ancient woodlands.
11:10I'm very confident that this project has absolutely minimised.
11:14The environmental and biodiversity erosion.
11:17That we might previously have seen.
11:19And there are lots of examples of how this is best practice in that respect.
11:27There's something very special about being in the middle of a woodlands.
11:30There are people who maybe are on medication.
11:33Maybe find it difficult to get up in the morning.
11:35And they still keep coming out week after week.
11:37Which shows the importance.
11:39And how much they're getting from being out in nature for a day.
11:45That Kent Tonight special.
11:46Kent's Woodlands will be airing straight after this very short break.
11:50Thanks for watching.
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