Cornwall Film Festival broadens scope for 11th annual outing

Almost 200 feature-length movies, documentaries and shorts will be screened at Newquay's Lighthouse Cinema this week as Cornwall Film Festival marks its 11th year.

Kicking off on Wednesday, the event combines the best of Cornish film-making alongside some of the most talked-about current releases from around the world.

Originally set up with the specific intention of supporting Cornish film-making and to provide a platform to showcase the work of local screenwriters and cinematographers, the festival now draws entries and audiences from across the UK and abroad.

"This year we have concentrated on a breadth of programme in order to ensure there truly is something for everybody," said festival director Tiffany Holmes. "We have more feature film screenings than ever before. There are films making a big noise on the festival circuit and ticking boxes for film buffs and aficionados of art-house and foreign language cinema, but we also have a number of more accessible British and American films in advance of their official release dates.

"Sadly there are no Cornish features ready for screening this year, but Miracle Theatre will be sharing some clips of their new feature film TIN and providing some insight into the production process."

Among the 37 feature films are Amour, Sightseers, Trap For Cinderella, Cheerful Weather For The Wedding, Citadel, Robot And Frank and Quartet(pictured), which is Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut set in a retirement home for opera singers.

Dozens of short films from Cornwall and around the world will also be shown under the headings Made in Kernow, Decent Exposure, Films Without Borders, Reel Women and Eye-Toons Animation.

Among the prizes being vied for this year will be the Delabole Slate Audience Award for the best Cornish short film and the Delabole Slate Golden Chough Award for the film that best captures the spirit of the festival. In addition to these competition categories, a number of other short film programmes will showcase Cornish documentaries and music videos.

"The purpose of the festival is always to provide a unique opportunity for film lovers to see a range of films that would not otherwise be screened in Cornwall," added Tiffany. "And that's certainly the case with the 2012 programme."

Cornwall Film Festival runs from November 8 to 11. For more details, visit www.cornwallfilmfestival.com or call 01637 878650.

OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEK

BAGGY POINT

National Trust car park: Figure of eight, Croyde Beach, Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough, Baggy Point. About eight miles. Meet Thursday 9.30am. CP 432 397.

BELSTONE

Village Hall: Craft Fair. Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm. All-day refreshments. Light lunches. Proceeds to the village hall.

BODMIN

The Masons Arms: Beer festival with more than ten different ales and local cider. Friday to Sunday.

BRIXHAM

Heritage Museum: Searching for the Past on Berry Head by Dr P Armitage. Monday 2pm for 2.30pm. Members £1, non-members £2.

BUDE

Methodist Church: Christmas Fayre. Various stalls and refreshments. All welcome. Disabled access. Saturday 10am-2pm.

BUGLE

Village Hall: Bingo. Eyes down Monday 7.30pm.

CAMBORNE

Wesley Centre, Wesley Chapel: Camborne Old Cornwall Society meet Tuesday 7.30pm.

CAMELFORD

Camelford Hall, the Clease: The Camelford Floral Society monthly meeting demonstration, named A Christmas Surprise, followed by tea and biscuits. Visitors welcome. Wheelchair-friendly. Wednesday 7.30pm.

CARHARRACK

Mill Hall: Wonderland Market. Saturday 10am-1pm.

DARTINGTON

Barn Theatre: Playgoers of Dartington Hall present Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Tickets £8.50, £1 off concessions, £5 students. From Tues-Sat.

EXETER

St David's Church: Exeter Bach Society choir and orchestra. Tickets £12. Saturday 7.30pm.

Chapel/Project Centre, Poltimore: Christmas Fair. Many hand-made gifts. Payment at the door. Admission £1 (child U16 free). Saturday 11am-4pm.

United Reformed Church, Southernhay: Exeter Symphony Orchestra Autumn Concert. Saturday 7.30pm. Tickets £10 in advance (ring 01392 667080) or £12 on the door.

New Theatre: Amuse – Bouche! Tickets £7.50 (£5). Thursday 7.30pm; Simon Mayor and Hilary James, folk, swing, blues, classical. Tickets £12 (£10). Friday 7.30pm.

Powderham Castle: Christmas shopping Annual Michaelmas Fair on Thursday from 10am-3pm. Tickets £3 from Exeter Visitor Information and 01392 665885, or £4 on the day.

Westpoint: Exeter Round Table Fireworks Display on Monday; Beef South West, Thursday.

EXMOUTH

Exmouth Pavilion: Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance Concert Friday 7pm for 7.30pm.

Withycombe Methodist Church Hall: Exmouth Folk Dance Club meet Nicole Mac and Pete Mac Band. Thursday 8pm.

GERRANS

The Royal Standard: Euchre Drive. Monday 8pm.

GWEEK

Village Hall: Ballroom/sequence dance. Saturday 8pm.

HOLSWORTHY

Skills Centre: Holsworthy Local History Society with Gerald Williamson, who will give a talk entitled 'Of Coaches, Carriages and Wagons'. Thursday 7.15pm.

INDIAN QUEENS

Methodist Church Vestry: Coffee morning for ShelterBox. Wednesday 10.30am.

KINGSKERSWELL

Community Centre: Natural History Society's next monthly meeting with Phil Page on Funghi, Fact, Fiction and Folklore. Newcomers welcome. Tuesday 7.30pm.

LAUNCESTON

St Stephens community Hall: Giant bric-a-brac and jumble and book sale. Wheelchair-friendly. In aid of St Stephen the Martyr Church. Saturday 10am-noon.

LISKEARD

Stuart House: Looe Arts and Crafts Society Craft Fayre. Local hand-made crafts and Christmas gifts. Mon-Fri 10am-3.30pm, Sat 10am-12.30pm.

LYDFORD

The Nicholls Hall: Clive Aslet (Country Life) will be giving an illustrated talk about the 23 people from Lydford who died for their country. His book War Memorial will be for sale. Thursday 8pm.

LAUNCESTON

The Eagle House Hotel: Launceston Stamp Club, viewing of auction lots from 6.30pm, followed by AGM and auction on Thursday.

MELDON

Village Hall: Okehampton Sequence Dance Club. £1.50 per person. Beginners welcome. Wednesday 8pm-10.30pm.

MODBURY

Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone: Exhibition of photographs of villages in Kingsbridge and Salcombe area past and present. Open Tuesday and Thursdays. Entry free. 11am-3pm.

MYLOR

Tremayne hall: Concert by Dres Kernow Barbershop Chorus and Treverva Male Voice Choir on Saturday 7.30pm. Tickets £5 on the door or from 01872 865596.

PAR GREEN

The Gott Hall: Prize bingo, raffle and home-made supper. Facilities for those in wheelchairs. Visitors welcome. Thursday 7.30pm.

The Gott Hall: Coffee and craft, scrapbooking, knitting etc. Friday 10.15am-12.30pm. New members welcome. Details 01726 812944.

PERRANPORTH

The Seiners Function Room: Evening raising money for Shelterbox with The Perraners and their guests 8 in a Bar (all-male harmony group). £19 including food. Tuesday 7pm.

PLYMOUTH

Unitarian Church Hall: Local Exchange Trading Scheme. Saturday 2-3.30pm.

Stoke Library: Monet and his Friends exhibition. Until Dec 20.

St Edward's Church Hall, Home Park: Plymouth Railway Circle AGM followed by president's slide show. £1 members, £2 visitors. Monday 7.30pm.

Devonport City College: Blood donor session 1.15-3.15pm and 4.45-7.15pm on Monday.

PLYMSTOCK

Plymstock United church: Blood donor session 1.15-3.15pm and 4.45-7.15pm on Friday.

REDRUTH

Heartlands, Robinsons Shaft, Pool: Cornwall Wildlife Trust Discovery Day and AGM. Saturday. Booking fee £5. Lunch £6.50. Parking £3.50.

Jubilee Hall, Redruth Methodist Church: Christmas Market and Craft Fair. Saturday 10am-3pm.

Murdoch House, Cross Street: Redruth TW Guild Coffee Morning. 10am-12noon. Friday. Free tea, coffee and biscuits.

RILLA MILL

Parson's Meadow: Bonfire and Grand Firework Display. Hot refreshments plus BBQ. Adults £4, child £1. Saturday 6.30pm.

Village Hall: Whist drive, Tuesday 7.30pm.

ROCHE

Victory Hall: Autumn Show, Wednesday 4-8pm, Thursday 1-7pm.

ST AUSTELL

St John's Methodist Church: St Austell Choral Society Autumn Concert of English and French Music. Saturday 7.30pm. Soloist Cheryl Rosevear. Tickets £10 (under-16s free) at the door or from Cornish Riviera Box Office.

ST DOMINICK

Parish Church: Christmas Craft Fayre. Refreshments all day. Good car parking. Thurs-Fri 11am-6pm, Saturday 11am-5pm.

ST MABYN

Village Hall: Share your money-saving ideas with like-minded villagers and families. Free entry. Free tea and coffee. (Nothing for sale!) Saturday 10am-noon.

ST NEOT

Village Hall: St Neot Methodist Chapel Annual Bazaar with soup and dessert lunch. Saturday 11am.

ST STEPHEN-IN-BRANNEL

Parish Church: Concert by Imerys Male Voice Choir. Friday 7.30pm.

TAVISTOCK

The Wharf: The Needlatones and Land of the Giants music concert. Friday 8pm.

TORQUAY

The Little Theatre: The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Wednesday 7.30pm.

TROON

Methodist Church: Bazaar to celebrate Camborne Feast. Many stalls and light lunches. Saturday 11am.

WADEBRIDGE

Start of the Camel Trail: Newquay Pentire Probus Club walk or cycle the Camel Trail. Meet Wednesday 10.30am for 10.45am.Contact 01637 878990.

WHITEMOOR

Methodist Chapel: Grand Art and Craft Exhibition. Fri-Sat 10am-6pm. £1.

WIDECOMBE-IN-THE-MOOR

Fair field: Firework Display. Adults £5, children £2.50. Bar and barbecue. Gates open 6pm, display 7.30pm on Saturday. Please park in the village. Disco in bar after display. Tickets on the door.