A film which had scenes shot in Comet country has been screened at an international festival.

The Comet: Film director Sue ShearingFilm director Sue Shearing (Image: Archant)

No Smoke, written and directed by Aston resident Sue Shearing, was chosen from more than 800 rivals to be shown at the Marbella International Film Festival in Spain earlier this month.

The 77-minute long drama, involving drug dealing and terrorism, was filmed in various locations in Hertfordshire – including Knebworth – over 13 days last summer.

Sue said: “It’s amazing. We’re all very excited.

“I sent the film off to the festival months ago and had forgotten all about it, so it was a fantastic boost to get the email.”

No Smoke is the 67-year-old’s second film, but her first full-length production. It was shot on a shoestring budget, with several professional actors who live locally, including Tony Phillips, Jonathan Ross’ step-father, performing for free.

Sue added: “The actors and local people were extremely generous in giving their time to help us out. It was great fun.

“We had to hire police cars and uniforms and race around the streets of Knebworth with blue lights flashing. We did inform local residents, but there were a few surprised faces.”

For her next film, Archie, which is in the edit stage, a well-known songwriting duo, Don Black and Debbie Wiseman, who have worked for Andrew Lloyd Webber, have written the theme.

It will be shown for the first time at the Hertford Theatre on November 10.