The first Wellington Film Festival will kick off at the end of September. A range of films, talks, school activities and outdoor events will be held over three days.
Many of the events will be free thanks to support from Somerset West and Taunton Council and Wellington Town Council. None of the tickets will cost more than £5.
Eight venues across Wellington will take part in the festival overall, including a pub quiz at the Iron Duke on the opening night.
The event will feature a star wars themed picnic in Wellington park including a marching visit from the 501st Garrison of Stormtroopers in full film accurate costumes.
Festival chair Cllr Keith Wheatley said: “The festival will be a real community-wide event with films being shown in cafes and churches with workshops being held in libraries and schools. So no red-carpets or movie stars I’m afraid, just our very own Somerset version of Cannes. “Our operational partners Somerset Film have huge experience in this type of event and are bringing in some big names from movieland.”
For the night owls there will be a late night viewing of comedic crime thriller Pulp Fiction at the iconic art deco Wellesley Cinema. While On a more quiet note the silent 1924 Peter Pan film will show at the Arts Centre with a live musical accompaniment.
The film festival is also about promoting Wellingtons film making talent. Locally made films with a heritage theme including, a short National Trust documentary recording the recent restoration of the Wellington Monument, and a documentary about the town’s historic waterways made by local director Jem McCluskey will be showing.
Wellingtons eco friendly movement will also be getting the spotlight with the award-winning documentary ,The Good Earth, which focuses on destructive food production, Followed by a talk and discussion with its director Robert Gold.
The town’s school children will have chance to take part in animation workshops and also attend an afternoon of archive film provided by the British Film Institute and shown in St John’s church.
For details of all WFF events and to book tickets, from September 1st , go to www.wellingtonfilmfestival.co.uk