A DIRECTOR from Lewes has fulfilled his lifelong ambition to shoot a film in the town – and surprised a few locals with cardboard robots in the process.

Benjamin Verrall’s film Incidental Characters will be screening in local cinemas this month.

The unconventional rom-com sees its characters learn to love themselves, rather than falling in love with one another. It also features a dream-sequence with actors in robot costumes.

Benjamin, 43, runs a production company based at the Star Brewery in Lewes.

He usually makes educational films for museums including the V&A and the National Archives.

But his latest project sees him venturing into unfamiliar territory.

He said: “I love making educational films, and I’ve learnt so much over the years, not least how to stretch a budget and bring the most value to the screen.

“But it has always been my ambition to make a feature film. The biggest difference was the script: this one was written to entertain and move people, not teach the audience.

“The other difference was that I got to bring the characters to life by working in greater depth with some amazing actors. It was fantastic to have the luxury of conducting workshops with them. They all have significant television credits to their name, and they each brought something magical to the table.”

The film stars Sophia Capasso as struggling art-school graduate Josie, Steve Watts as Tony, who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, Howard Perret as​ Alf, who “lives in a world of his own”, and Isabella Marshall as Alison, who is feeling lonely in a small town.

Incidental Characters looks at these characters’ chance encounters and the lasting effect they have.

Benjamin said: “I am interested in stories about people and the impact we have on each other. Sometimes the people who have the biggest influence on our lives are those who we know only fleetingly – a teacher, a colleague, an acquaintance.”

Benjamin said the film is “an observational comedy exploring the nature of relationships and personal fulfilment”.

And Lewes, he said, was the ideal place to shoot it. He said: “Lewes is a magical place – a small town where you can’t help but get to know people. And everyone has a story to tell.

“It’s the perfect setting for a film about coincidental meetings, exploring relationships and finding fulfilment by pursuing the things you love.”

Scenes were shot at Lewes House, Landport Bottom, The Lewes Arms, Tizz’s in the High Street, The Swan public house and Lewes Castle. There are also plenty of views of the town centre.

Benjamin wants to thank the town for its support. He said: “The people of Lewes were all very accommodating and allowed us to film.

“Still, we got a few interested glances when one of our actors was dressed in a cardboard robot costume for a dream sequence.”

“The budget didn’t allow us to close anywhere off from the public, and landlords and shop owners were very generous in letting us film in their premises. We couldn’t have made the film without their generosity.”

Benjamin has lived in the town for eight years, and grown to love it. He was raised in Hastings, and studied media production at Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology. He went on to study film production at Surrey Institute of Art and Design, and for the last five years he has been running a media agency and video production company called Toffee Hammer Productions.

He said Incidental Characters has “poignant moments” but is “essentially positive and life-affirming”.

The film goes on independent release this month. Benjamin said you can check out local cinema listings to see where it will be screened. It will be available on DVD and streaming services in April.