The UK premiere of Summer in February, which was filmed in Cornwall with Downton Abbey heartthrob Dan Stevens in the lead role, will have its premiere in Penzance this summer.

Metrodome Distribution are giving Cornish audiences this opportunity to see the film 11 days ahead of its UK release on June 14, during the Cornwall Film Festival.

Merlin Cinemas in Penzance will show the film on June 3, while the The Poly in Falmouth will show the film on June 4.

Lamorna and Prussia Cove provide the backdrop for the adaptation of Jonathan Smith’s 1995 novel.

Directed by Christopher Menaul and starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double), Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Summer in February is set in the years running up to the First World War and focuses on the wild and bohemian Lamorna Group of the Newlyn artist’s colony, dominated by the charismatic Alfred Munnings.

The anti-Modernist Munnings, now one of Britain’s most sought-after artists, is at the heart of a complex love triangle, also involving aspiring young painter Florence Carter-Wood and Gilbert Evans, the land agent in charge of the Lamorna estate.

Inspired by the true diaries of Evans, Summer in February, reveals the tragic consequences of this ill-fated love affair and casts light on the Newlyn colony which fuelled Cornwall’s international reputation for art.

“Cornwall provides the perfect filming location with its stunning landscape and coastline, its rich history and culture and the wealth of talent on offer here to support productions," said festival director, Tiffany Holmes.

“We’re really excited to be working with Merlin Cinemas and The Poly to present the premiere of Summer in February and to celebrate Cornwall’s role in both the story and the making of the film.”

The Savoy Cinema in Penzance will host the premiere screening of Summer in February at 8pm on Monday 3rd June, which will be followed by a Q&A with members of the cast and crew. Tickets are £10 and go on sale on 10th May via www.merlincinemas.co.uk The screening at The Poly in Falmouth will take place on Tuesday 4th June at 7.30pm, followed by a Q&A with the author and screenwriter Jonathan Smith. Tickets available via www.thepoly.org.

Cornwall Film Festival will be giving away two free tickets to the screening in Penzance in a prize draw taken from all those who have purchased raffle tickets for the Big Give via the Cornwall Film Festival website. www.cornwallfilmfestival.com.