Watercolor

which promises to show widescreen films all weekend, including the historic format of Three-Strip Cinerama, projecting the film onto a wide screen using three projectors - the only cinema outside the USA to do so. This is the centrepiece to BIFF’s Cinerama is 60 celebrations, which include a widescreen films such as the award winning The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm. And there’s even more - not only is Mark Kermode’s band The Dodge Brothers accompanying Neil Brand in a live soundtrack to Beggars of Life, he even plays double bass. There is much more that will be revealed in the run-up to the festival, so there really is no reason to not visit BIFF this year. For more information go to www. nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/biff or call the box office on 0844 856 3797 Niki is a filmmaker from Shipley; you can follow her on twitter: @ thebierton Niki Bierton

What do Ray Winstone, Mark Kermode and Chuck Jones have in common? They’ll all be celebrating the National Media Museum’s 18th Bradford International Film Festival, for eleven days, 19-29 April. Jam- packed full of all things cinematic, the Festival will be celebrating the career of Mr Winstone, with showings of his most recent hits like Beowulf plus classics like Sexy Beast. Not only that, he will be there in person on 21 April to take part in a Screentalk interview. Need more reasons to go? There’s a tribute to the centenary of animation master Chuck Jones, who brought us characters that are still as popular as ever - Elmer Fudd, Road Runner, and my personal favourite Bugs Bunny. To celebrate BIFF is showing 20 of Chuck’s greatest shorts throughout the festival, including Road Runner’s first outing in Fast and Furry-ous from 1949. However, the eleven days aren’t just for film fanatics but family too. Over two weekends BIFF has activities for all ages, inspired by Jones’ unique animations.

There is also the Widescreen Weekend at Pictureville cinema,

WHATS ON...

Our Hospitatlity @ National Media Museum 4th March (time tba) Buster Keaton’s hilarious physical comedy and exasperating stunts are complemented by live piano accompaniment from Darius Battiwalla. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors @ Hyde Park Picture House 5th March – 9pm New Mexico’s roving folk duo A Hawk and A Hacksaw (accordionist/drummer Jeremy Barnes and violinist Heather Trost) present a brand new rescore of Soviet director Sergio Paradjanov’s classic film. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde @ Hyde Park Picture House 9th March - 6.30pm Following acclaimed performances at London’s BFI and the Latitude and Green Man Festivals, acclaimed Yorkshire folk act Blue Roses (aka Laura Groves) reprise their haunting live score for this classic work of gothic silent cinema. Minicine: Uncharted States of America @ Armley Mills 22nd March –7pm Minicine gears up for BIFF’s Uncharted States of America strand by playing two films that have played in previous editions of the strand. The evening will include trailers of films playing at this year’s BIFF. See minicine.org.uk for ticket information