A FAMOUS comedian and TV presenter will display a comedic short film at Basingstoke's annual short film festival.

Joe Lycett, who is known for hosting shows including Late Night Lycett and Joe Lycett's Got Your Back, submitted the short film 'Dating Mark Silcox' for presentation at the Exit 6 film festival.

The festival, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, September 20, aims to put Basingstoke 'on the cultural map' by providing a 'fabulous yearly event for local film lovers'.

Ranking among the top 100 film festivals in the world, the British Independent Film Awards accredited event celebrated the best in indie filmmaking, showing a range of short films in genres from dramas to documentaries.

The film being presented by Joe Lycett at the festival will follow Mark Silcox, a comedian who has appeared on Lycett's TV show, as a man 'unlucky in love until he tries a novel new approach'.

The film's synopsis is: "Unable to get a second date, Mark Silcox attempts to find love by learning to be funny.

"But could his joking go too far?"

The short film was shot in Birmingham, according to Lycett, and features actress Katherine Parkinson, best known for appearing in The IT Crowd and Rivals.

'Dating Mark Silcox' will appear at part of the festival's Block 5, alongside comedy shorts Tortured Artist, PLEASE, Magical Meat, Code/Switch and drama Less than three.

Festival director, Mark Brennan, previously told the Gazette: "We invite everyone who enjoys cinema and discovering new talent to join us for an awesome day at the Vue, and to help celebrate our tenth birthday afterwards at our legendary Awards Party!"