Film festival promises history and hotshots

Andrew Robinson

FILM fans are preparing to celebrate the life and films of Huddersfield-born actor James Mason at the forthcoming Holmfirth Film Festival.

The town’s first film festival, taking place from May 22 to 29, will also highlight the historical role the area has played in the development of film.

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Organisers are planning a major event centred on the contribution made by Bamforth Films of Holmfirth, with film shows, talks and exhibitions.

Holmfirth was at the forefront of the silent film industry when local photographer James Bamforth began producing short films in the late 19th century.

With the Festival’s northern flavour, it hopes to showcase the talents of actors, writers and directors from the area which will be centered on the town’s historic Picturedrome venue.

Barry Norman, renowned film critic and a former BBC presenter, will be interviewed by Tony Earnshaw, head of film programming at the National Media Museum in Bradford.

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Norman will be introducing his favourite films and will host a question and answer session on May 27 at the Picturedrome.

The festival will feature a day dedicated to Huddersfield’s own Hollywood star, James Mason, and, among other highlights, the author David Peace will be interviewed at an event in Sheffield.

There will be a children’s film event as well as a secret outdoor cinema showing. The festival will be screening award-winning foreign films, and the event will finish with a film-themed ball.

The festival, supported by the South Pennine Leader Project, has organised a major short film competition which aims to depict Holmfirth and the Holme Valley in a new light.

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Although Holmfirth is famous for the longest running sitcom, The Last of the Summer Wine, the festival is keen for film-makers to go beyond these stereotypes and is based around the theme “Beyond the Summer Wine”.

The films will be inspired by the outstanding landscape of the area and will give a fresh look at Holmfirth and the Holme Valley.

Tickets will be available from the Holmfirth Picturedrome or for more details visit www.holmfirthfilmfestival.co.uk.

Film fans can vote for what they would like to see at the festival by emailing info@ holmfirthfilmfestival.co.uk.