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My First Film Festival at The Courtyard

Child Watching Film Looking Excited

My First Film Festival at The Courtyard

The Courtyard Cinema’s My First Film Festival returns for its second year in August and includes film screenings, plus workshops to excite a new generation about cinema, with all tickets just £3.

Kicking off the festival is Jack Black’s blockbuster, Be Kind Rewind (2007, 12A) on Friday 16 August at 2.30pm. Following the screening, at 4.30pm audiences can take part in a bespoke filmmaking workshop where they will shoot their own version of an iconic film scene, using props and costumes made by them. The Be Kind Rewind Filmmaking Workshop is ideal for kids aged 12-15 years old, but all ages are welcome.

A Stop Motion Animation Workshop is up next on Saturday 17 August at 1pm, ahead of a screening of Kubo and The Two Strings (2016, PG) at 2.30pm. Workshop participants will create their own characters, settings, and props to make their very own short animation. If able, participants should bring along a smartphone to use to make their film. The Courtyard will have a few spare devices if you do not have one.

The Courtyard Cinema is then hosting a screening of a Lindsay Lohan classic, The Parent Trap (1998, PG) to which twins can go for free, and then Disney’s 1940s musical masterpiece, Fantasia (U), an ideal introduction to movie magic for toddlers.

From 2pm on Wednesday 21 August families can join in with a free craft activity before the screening of Moomins on the Riviera (2014, U) at 2.30pm. The Moomin family set out on an adventure to the Riviera, hoping that a world of glamour awaits. As always, things don’t go exactly to plan.

The Iron Giant (35mm, 1999, PG) follows on Thursday 22 August at 2.30pm. When a strange object crashes into the sea near his hometown, Hogarth can’t resist going to check it out. He discovers a 50-foot-tall alien robot in the forest, and soon forges a friendship with the giant. This film will be an introduction for children to 35mm film, where they can handle some film and learn about the origins of cinema projection before the screening. The film will then be screened from a glorious 35mm print as it was in 1999.

My First Film Festival culminates with the new animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel Kensuke’s Kingdom (PG) from Friday 23 – Saturday 31 August.

All films as part of the festival are being shown as Relaxed and Autism Friendly Screenings. Relaxed Screenings are specifically designed for a less formal cinema environment and include changes such as lights being left on low, a chill out room if audiences need time away from the screen and a relaxed approach to audience noise and movement.

My First Film Festival will be in The Courtyard’s Studio Theatre Friday 16 – Saturday 31 August. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit www.courtyard.org.uk.

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