BLACK Country filmmakers got the backing of top Dudley politicians for their ambitious plans to join the international jet set at the Cannes Festival.

A team from Base Media Productions Ltd in Stourbridge is heading to the south of France in April to show off their flagship project, a new TV show featuring rock legend Rick Wakeman.

The programme, which is called Soundbites, combines music and food as Rick Wakeman interviews A-list celebrities while a top chef cooks the guest’s favourite food.

Dudley South MP Chris Kelly and Dudley Conservative Group leader cllr Patrick Harley have recently been on the guest list at the company’s home, Base Studios in Rufford Road,to see the studio’s new video production and conference centre facilities.

The pair gave their backing to Base boss Waren Evans’s plans to expand the studio’s business beyond the music scene, with the ambition of creating jobs and work experience opportunities for young people.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin also took a tour of the Base and was quick to praise Base Media Productions.

Mr Austin said on Twitter: “I'm @BasemediaProd in Stourbridge: fantastic new production facilities. Exactly what we need in the area.”

Base Media Productions will be at the MipTV exhibition event in Cannes to show off their programme to TV company chiefs, in a bid to get the show commissioned for a series to be shown in a prime-time slot.

Warren Evans, from Base Media Productions Ltd, said: “We have already had plenty of interest in Soundbites from some major TV production companies in London but we believe the programme would appeal to producers all over the world.

“We aim to make sure we spread the word about Soundbites as far as possible and MipTV is one of the biggest events of its kind, bringing thousands of programme-makers together to exchange ideas.

“This is a great opportunity to bring a major TV project featuring some of the biggest stars on the planet to the Black Country, which would fantastic news for the region.”

The company has produced a trailer for the show featuring singer Ruby Turner and Michelin-starred chef Andy Waters.

To see the Soundbites trailer featuring Rick Wakeman and Ruby Turner visit www.base-mediaproductions.com