Free films launch fourth festival

Cardiff is the setting for the fourth international film festival

Film buffs have the chance to sit back, choose a release of their choice and be entertained for free in Cardiff later this month.

The one-night only offer covers four festival films which are being screened on 21 November to kick off the Cardiff International Film Festival - but tickets are expected to be picked up fast.

The UGC Cinema in Cardiff is one of the festival venues

The tickets will only be available on the day from the festival desk at the UGC Cinema.

The four films - Plots with a View, 8 Women, Every Stewardess Goes to Heaven and Festival Firsts - have been chosen to represent the range of films to be seen over the six-day festival.

Organisers of the festival, which is in its fourth year, hope to bring the best of Welsh and international cinema to Cardiff, from November 21-27.

Films can be seen at the UGC Cinema as well as at the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton in the city.

As well as question and answer sessions and workshops with experts, the festival also includes the screening of the first feature film called Dancer Upstairs directed by actor John Malkovich as well as a short film he has directed called Hideous Man, to be shown beforehand.

John Malkovich directs one of the festival's films

Animation days are also featuring on Friday-Sunday, 22-24 November.

Other highlights include a question and answer session with East is East director Damian O'Donnell.

And Barbara Slade, who has written for children's favourites the Rugrats and Winnie the Pooh, will also be involved in a writer's workshop on Saturday.

Non Jones, a spokesman for the festival, said: "There are so many different films showing, we have several Australian films, some Spanish and French films.

"There is a great choice of films you wouldn't normally get to see."

Directing award

There is also the DM Davies Award for the best director of a short film and the worthy winner receives funding to get their next directing project of a short film underway.

Organisers hope to see attendance figures increase for another year - last year around 7,000 cinema goers took part in the festival.

Mari Beynon Owen, Festival Director, said: "The film festival is about providing the opportunity to see new and different films, so this year we decided to open the doors to everyone so they can join us to celebrate the best of cinema in Wales and the world."

Councillor Marion Drake, with responsibility for Culture, Sport and Enterprise at Cardiff County Council, said it is important to give the festival a strong base, especially as Cardiff has been short-listed for European Capital of Culture 2008.

She also said it is hoped to encourage and inspire Wales' filmmakers.