16th Keswick Film Festival kicks off

Keswick is getting ready to host it's 16th Film Festival.

It all begins with the English premiere of New Zealand film The Dark Horse at the Alhambra Cinema this evening.

It's hoped the festival will be a welcome boost to the local economy in one of the colder months and will help local film makers break into the industry.

This year's themes are 'Disability', 'On Yer Bike' and 'A Celebration of Dogme.'

One of the biggest films at the festival is 'Radiator', which was filmed at a house in Mosedale and the surrounding area, including on Derwent Water. It stars Gemma Jones, who played Bridget Jones' Mum in the film adaptation of the book and Richard Johnson, from Midsommer Murders, Waking the Dead and Silent Witness.

Cumbrian charity CCVS has created a film called Faith, Hope and Charity along the festival's Disability theme.

The Osprey Short Film Competition is awarded at the festival, featuring many Cumbrian film makers.

Films are shown at the Rheged Centre in Penrith as well as at the Theatre by the Lake and Alhambra Cinema in Keswick.

Thinking of going to see some of the Keswick Film Festival this weekend?

The Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday. A film pass is £45 (£25 for concessions and £10 for students) while individual films are £5 or £3 for concessions.

Some of the highlights of the festival include:

Thursday 26th February:

7.30pm The Dark Horse, the English premiere at the Alhambra Cinema and the start of the festival.

Friday 27th February:

3pm Director Tom Browne and his leading actors Gemma Jones and Richard Johnson introduce 'Radiator', filmed in Mosedale and Derwent Water.

8.15pm Jimmy's Hall, a celebration of voluntary work starting with 'Faith, Hope and Charity', which documents the work of Cumbria's voluntary service in Carlisle over 100 years.

Saturday 28th February:

10am Free Family Film, 'Into the Woods'.

1pm Osprey Short Film Awards

Sunday 1st March:

4.15pm 'Bicycle', the story of cycling in the UK, in association with local company Keswick Bikes

You can see the full festival programme here.