The very first Stroud Film Festival takes place at venues throughout the town, on March 13-29, 2015. It’s a two-week celebration of cinema, bringing new opportunities for the whole community to enjoy a wide range of films.

Four local organisations committed to film have come together to organise the festival programme.which is launched at the Brunel Goods Shed when Alfred Hitchcock’s silent drama The Lodger is screened with a live soundtrack by acclaimed musicians Minima.

Feature films on the programme include the award-winning Nick Cave film 20,000 Days on Earth, Last Song Before the War, following a music festival in Mali and Manufactured Landscapes, all at Lansdown Hall. One of the film’s producers will introduce recent British hit Northern Soul at Vue Cinema where the highly acclaimed Hockney can also be seen, following the festival theme of films connected with music and creativity.

Animation is the focus of the children’s event at Landsown Hall where local animators Bryan and Helena Panks talk about how they made the TV series Max Bear. This is followed by children’s animated feature Kirikou and the Sorceress.

Cotswold Playhouse is the venue for Pina, the award-winning film about dance, while director Toby Amies introduces his film The Man Whose Mind Exploded at the Goods Shed. Stroud Film Society have chosen the humorous The Beaches of Agnes, a film about film making, while Screendreams, a poetry and cinema event is at Atelier. Other film-related events include John Street Social Club on Fridays at Stroud Valleys Artspace.

The Crown and Sceptre hosts a Stroud Community TV event where awards will be presented for short films made by local film makers. Later in the festival short films by young people are the focus of an evening at SVA.

Professional film makers present their work at two events at OPEN House. Jimmy Edmonds and Jane Harris present a selection of their films in a charity event Life’s Legacy on the opening Saturday while later in the festival, TV documentary maker Sarah Tibbetts asks ‘What’s worth Documenting?’

Jo Bousfield of Lansdown Film Club says, “How wonderful to have a different film on every day for fortnight, a tasty collection of funny, fascinating and exciting films at a variety of venues.”

Visit www.stroudfilmfestival.org for full programme details and breaking news. The festival is generously supported by Stroud Town Council, and wholly run by volunteers. People who’d like to be involved by distributing festival publicity or helping run events with filmmakers, should email info@stroudfilmfestival.org