THE world's biggest youth film festival returns to Northern Ireland next month, with hundreds of free tickets up for grabs, as well as a number of special events giving a behind-the-scenes insight into the world of the silver screen.
The Into Film Festival, running from November 7-23, features 3,000 free screenings and special events for five-to-19-year-olds in 550 venues across the UK, including 98 events in 34 venues in the north.
This year the festival includes three premiere screenings of The Grinch, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch on November 7, the Christmas caper Nativity Rocks on November 13 and the Cannes Palme D’Or winner Shoplifters on November 20.
There are also a host of special screenings including Steven Spielberg’s latest science fiction movie Ready Player One, which will be shown at Queen’s Sonic Arts Centre.
Other highlights in Northern Ireland include the screening of Cartoon Saloon's Oscar-nominated animation The Breadwinner, with a talk from director Nora Twomey, talks from an Empire Magazine journalist about film reviewing and a workshop on the art of prosthetics.
There are a number of screenings dealing with the subject of mental health. The movie Wonder, starring Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts tells the story of a boy born with facial differences and the difficulties he faces at school. A screening of the film at Movie House, Maghera, on November 12 will be accompanied by a workshop from Action Mental Health.
Festival supporter, Game of Thrones actor Gwendoline Christie, said: “Into Film is a really brilliant initiative because anything that facilitates the arts in our current climate, particularly with regards to younger people, is really vital as we are seeing increasing cuts and less funding in schools."
:: See Intofilm.org/festival
