On Saturday, June 8th, the family and friends of young Harry Potter actor Rob Knox gathered at the Picturehouse Cinema in Bromley to unveil a special memorial in his honor. The memorial, revealed by his parents Colin Knox and Sally Holder, was placed in the bar area of the cinema, which is now affectionately known as “Rob’s Corner.” In attendance were close friends and colleagues from the film industry, including Aaron Truss (Co-Director of the Rob Knox London Film Festival), feature filmmaker Jake West, and Paul McEvoy of FrightFest, who also co-host the Stark Raving Cinema podcast.
In 2008, rising actor Rob Knox landed his breakout role as Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Tragically, shortly after filming, Knox was stabbed to death in Sidcup while trying to protect his younger brother. The tragic incident sparked renewed concerns over knife violence and made national headlines. In the wake of Knox’s death, his father Colin founded the Rob Knox Foundation and established the annual Rob Knox London Film Festival, which is sponsored by Project Vision and Q Cumber Films, to honor his son’s memory.
At Saturday’s unveiling, Colin Knox, said, “As the father of Rob Knox, I’m happy and pleased that the Rob Knox London Film Festival is now being hosted by the Bromley Picturehouse, which is a beautiful venue!”
His mother, Sally Holder added, “So pleased the Rob Knox London Film Festival is now in Rob’s home in the borough of Bromley. Thank you to Picturehouse for supporting us and providing a permanent memorial to Rob.”
Aaron Truss and Alice Amata, directors of the Rob Knox London Film Festival, also announced that the festival will have a new home starting next year. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 5, 2025, when it will partner with Italia Conti in Chislehurst to screen and showcase young and emerging artistic talent.
Aaron said, “Today’s unveiling at the Bromley Picturehouse of Rob’s memorial was an emotional one, overlooking Bowie’s Bar (after David Bowie) we now have Rob’s corner – a place for the public to come and pay their respects, have a coffee, meet with friends or even just escape from the world. It touches my heart to have been in a room with so much love and respect for a talented human being such as Rob. I am honoured to call this place home for the Rob Knox London Film Festival. Rob has come home to Bromley”.
Commemorations to celebrate Rob’s life and legacy will be highlighted further in the autumn when the Picturehouse will host a special Q&A screening of the documentary (K)nox The Rob Knox Story on 12th October with BAFTA-nominated actor Ray Winstone, who is a patron of the Rob Knox Foundation, in attendance alongside the film’s director Aaron Truss and Colin Knox. The event will be chaired by Paul McEvoy and tickets are now on sale here.
Aaron Truss, a close friend of Rob, had filmed one of his last appearances in a student horror spoof short, Employee of The Dead, which is now available to view on YouTube here.
[The event is sponsored by Project Vision. Photography– copyright, Kathy Janet Wieczorek]
[Featured image from left to right: Roz Morely (Picturehouse Manager), Colin Knox; Sally Holder (Rob’s parents), Aaron Truss]
