Rendelsham UFO film set for Raindance Festival

A documentary about the purported UFO sighting in Rendlesham Forest is set to premiere at a film festival

A documentary charting one of the most famous purported UFO sightings in history is to be shown at a film festival.

"The Rendlesham UFO – The British Roswell" investigated reports made by US airmen who claimed to have witnessed a UFO in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, in December 1980.

Mark Lee, co-director of the documentary, said the aim was "to create a conversation, as I am getting hundreds of people a week sending sightings and videos".

It will premiere at the Raindance Film Festival in London on 24 and 25 June.

On 26 December 1980, several United States Air Force (USAF) security personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge, reported that they investigated "lights" in the surrounding forest.

The sighting became headline news in the UK and sparked a host of books, dramas, documentaries and websites, suggesting it was either an actual alien visit, a secret military aircraft, a misinterpretation of natural lights or the beam of Orfordness Lighthouse - or a hoax.

Mark Lee and Guy Thompson have produced the are the two main people in the documentary

According to the creators of the documentary, it will feature exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage of recent sightings in the forest.

The Rendlesham Forest story has been dubbed the "British Roswell" after the 1947 Roswell Incident in New Mexico, USA. The documentary follows Mr Lee and co-investigator Guy Thompson searching for the truth armed with metal detectors and dowsing rods.

The film has been described as a "sensational UFO road trip movie".

'Open mind'

Mr Lee, who has a science degree, said: "There is something unexplained there and there are so many credible witnesses to the event."

The 54-year-old from St Albans co-directed the film with Roderick Godman.

"I am more of the ideas and production - and Roderick made the film," he said.

"There had been sightings of UFOs leading up to the 1980 sighting, and going back in through the decades."

He added that he had an "open mind" about what the sightings were.

Narrating the documentary is William B. Davis, best known for starring in The X-Files.

Mr Lee said he was really excited to work with Davis, who recorded the voiceover in Vancouver, Canada.

He added that he only got into the film making industry five years ago, and it "was a dream come true" as he was nominated for best director.