The Great Yarmouth Film Festival is back for a second year, presenting a varied programme that celebrates some of the best loved moments and new works to be found in the world of the moving image. "Following last year's inaugural success with the legendary Jack Cardiff, we hope that this year’s festival will be even bigger and better," said tourism officer Alan Carr. "The festival attracts a lot of local interest and is extremely important in the strengthening of the events programme in the area," he added. This year's festival special feature focuses on the new generation of film makers from the region. Local talent The festival opens with a guest appearance from Paul Spurrier the writer/director of 'P', a horror film based around the Thai sex industry. Paul grew up in Norfolk and is the first Western director to make a Thai language feature film. "I have always had a fondness for Great Yarmouth, but one of the reasons that I left the country was because I had serious doubts about the viability of the British film industry," said Paul. "We have a history of wonderful films in Britain, and I think it is extremely sad that the British film industry is in such a poor state. There is tremendous talent and creative potential in the UK and we must somehow try to excite the general public... "Events like the Great Yarmouth Film Festival will hopefully inspire a new generation of filmmakers, will bring films to the general public that they might not normally go and see, and give an opportunity for discussion with filmmakers in a way that can only be beneficial," he added. Other regional features include American Perfekt by former Norfolk based film maker Paul Chart, Powerless by Matt Daniels and a programme of short films from local young film makers to be introduced by local Harry Potter star Chris Rankin. Special guests
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Visitors to the festival can enjoy two 'in conversation with' evenings featuring special guests Sylvester McCoy and Jack Douglas. An Evening With Sylvester McCoy takes place at the Hollywood Cinema on Sunday 2 October. Sylvester will be talking about his time on Doctor Who and showing some of his favourites extracts from the episodes Battlefield and Remembrance of the Daleks. The next night (Monday 3), Carry On star Jack Douglas will appear, again to chat about the films and answer questions, before a showing of Carry On Girls. BBC Radio Norfolk is the official media partner for the festival and will be hosting two events during the festival. On Monday 3 October the station's popular panel game Should The Team Think? takes on a movie theme at the St George's Theatre from 7.30pm. Keith Skipper, Sid Kipper, Stephen Bumfrey and Roy Waller will be on the panel, with David Clayton in the chair attempting to keep order. On Thursday 6 October, the station hosts a pub style film quiz, again at St George's, with film expert Chris Boxall setting the questions. People are asked to form teams of four or make up teams on the night. Hollywood highlights This year's programme includes screenings of Hollywood blockbusters Shakespeare In Love, Singing In The Rain, Grease and an epic back-to-back showing of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. There is a 'surprise film' on Saturday 8 October - an exclusive 18 cert preview. Organisers promise the the film is guaranteed to keep you on the edges of your seat! The festival is also includes the screening of the Portuguese films Capitães de Abril and Tentação. As festivals go, this is a newbie for the seaside town, but it comes highly recommended. "I feel excited about the Great Yarmouth Film Festival and I think very good things will come from it, the place is marvelous and I'm quite sure that it's going very strongly with Cannes and Venice... it's a great opportunity," said Oscar winning director Jack Cardiff. The Great Yarmouth Film Festival runs from Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 October, 2005. For more details call 01493 846345, or visit the festival website.
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