A Weymouth filmmaker is set to premiere her second feature film based on the novels of Thomas Hardy.

Rose Goldthorp has directed and co-written ‘Hardy’s Hand of Fate’ which is set for its world premiere at Kingston Maurward House near Dorchester on Saturday, November 4.

The feature film is the second created by the Wessex Dramas Project, a community amateur acting group that makes films and podcast around Hardy’s stories.

Dorset Echo: Rose has been a been making film since school Rose has been a been making film since school (Image: The Wessex Dramas Project)

Rose set up the group in 2022 after graduating in New Zealand and is helped by her assistant Ann-Marie Goldthorp.

When she was at school Rose made 18 shorts and as a student she made five feature films and co-wrote 12 other feature screenplays.

Since arriving in Dorset she has been left amazed at how receptive people have been.

She said: "I’ve been blown away by all the Dorsetians who have kindly come along to help get these Thomas Hardy stories out to people."

Dorset Echo: This is the second of Rose's feature films based on Thomas Hardy's workThis is the second of Rose's feature films based on Thomas Hardy's work (Image: The Wessex Drama Project)

‘Hardy’s Hand of Fate’ previewed on Portland at the Royal Manor Theatre on October 21 and is a collection of some of Hardy’s short stories.

It comprises of four thematically linked tales and is made by local volunteers, who also make dramatic podcasts of Hardy's various works. 

Rose hopes to make her living as a filmmaker soon, but this will in no way affect her Thomas Hardy work in Dorset.

Dorset Echo: The Wessex Dramas Project volunteers performing in the latest film The Wessex Dramas Project volunteers performing in the latest film (Image: The Wessex Dramas Project)

Rose hopes to one day be able to raise sponsorship to help pay the various charities that help the project with locations and costume, and the project is already looking ahead to the next series of films.  

A spokesperson for the Wessex Dramas Project, said: “After producing this duo of Hardy anthology features, Rose and Ann-Marie start, next year, on the first of 'A Seaside Trilogy' of Hardy novels with ‘The Well Beloved’ which Hardy set on the Isle of Slingers (Portland)."

The project also records its sixth Hardy audio drama podcast season, ‘Fellow Townsmen’, in November.

To find out more about the Wessex Dramas Project visit them online at wessexdramas.org where you can also buy the tickets for the world-wide premiere.

For more information on Rose and her work, see the website www.rosegoldthorp.com/