ILKLEY Film Society presents its annual Christmas double bill at Ilkley Playhouse on Sunday, December 17.

First, at 6.15pm, comes the irresistibly-titled My Life As A Courgette, from Switzerland. Courgette is the nickname of a nine year-old boy, taken to a children's home after losing his mother and having to adapt to a new “family” of kids of his own age. What makes the film exceptional is that the moving story is told entirely with stop-motion animated figures, the same technique used by Nick Park in his much-loved Wallace & Gromit and Shaun The Sheep films. A huge Leeds Film Festival success, the film was nominated for an Oscar as Best Animated Feature.

At 8pm, after an interval in which tea, coffee and mince pies will be served, comes another Leeds Festival hit, Hunt For The Wilderpeople. This comedy adventure, set in New Zealand's glorious unspoiled wilderness, is also centred on a fostered child. Ricky is a city kid given a fresh start with a loving “aunt”, a grumpy “uncle” and Tupac the dog. When a sudden tragedy threatens Ricky with another disruption to his life, he and Uncle Hec (Sam Neill) go on the run in the bush, where Ricky needs to learn Hec's survival skills and Hec needs to form a relationship with the boy if they are to escape the pursuit of police and social workers.

For non-members a single ticket (£4) covers both films – and the mince pie! To ensure admission to this popular event they should phone Dave Howell on 01943 430097. Further details on the current season are at www.ilkleyfilmsociety.org.uk.