THE third annual Ilkley Film Festival is almost here with dozens of award winning and crowd pleasing films screened across the town.

It all begins on Wednesday, February 17 at the Kings Hall with a special 20th anniversary showing of Brassed Off. To mark the occasion director of the film Mark Herman and stars of the film Stephen Tompkinson (Wild at Heart, DCI Banks, Drop the Dead Donkey) and Philip Jackson (Agatha Christie: Poirot, Raised by Wolves, Little Voice) will be in attendance at the Kings Hall to reminisce about filming the classic British comedy across Yorkshire in the mid 1990s.

Writer, actress and director Kay Mellor has just been confirmed as appearing at the Festival. On February 19 at Ilkley Playhouse Kay will delve into her repertoire of TV and film history giving us a behind the scenes insight into her most popular shows including Fat Friends and The Syndicate and also discussing her film career to date.

For those planning half term activities there are plenty of films for children including Alvin & The Chipmunks in The Road Trip and The Peanuts Movie and teens and young adults can spend a summer weekend with 15 year old Jack as he tries to find his own way through a tough upbringing in a run-down small American town in King Jack.

To book tickets visit www.ilkleyfilmfestival.co.uk or call 01943 602319.