Yorkshire TV and movie stars heading to first-ever Staithes International Film Festival

The event is on from Friday October 23 to Sunday October 25 at St Peter’s Centre in Staithes, with a three-day programme of film features, short films and live events.

Vote for the best short film which will earn the Blue Lobster award and meet Star Wars and Funny Cow actor Tony Pitts, who will be at the inaugural event alongside former Coronation Street and Mr Bates v The Post Office star Katherine Kelly.

Friday October 23, 7pm – Opening Gala

Award-winning comedy The Fisherman follows the adventures of a traditional fisherman in Ghana, assisted by a cast of quirky friends including a talking fish.

New York-based director Zoey Martinsson said: “I’m delighted to be part of this inaugural festival and to know my film is being shown in Staithes, a village with such a strong fishing heritage.”

Saturday October 24, 2pm – Seven top international short films

The audience is in for a treat with the festival organisers’ hand-picked programme of seven shorts from around the world - many of which area already award-winners.

People will vote for the first-ever winner of the Staithes Blue Lobster Award for the Best Short Film, from:

♦ from Yorkshire – Rocket Fuel, Green, The Colder the Water, the Deeper the Bond

♦ from Australia – Set Menu

♦ from Mexico – Family Sunday

♦ from USA, Full Term and Houston, We Have a Crush

Saturday October 24, 7pm - Funny Cow Gala Event

Movie screening followed by an audience with its writer and co-star Tony Pitts.

The film starring Maxine Peake follows a stand-up comedian trying to make it on the tough North of England comedy circuit around working men’s clubs in the 1970s.

It’s loosely based on real life Yorkshire comic Marti Caine.

Tony will be interviewed followed by a Q & A with audience members.

Actor Katherine Kelly will also attend – she starred in TV hit drama, Mr Bates versus the Post Office, Happy Valley, The Night Manager, Official Secrets opposite Keira Kinightley and is well-known as Coronation Street character Becky McDonald.

Sunday October 25th, 2pm – Ocean with Sir David Attenborough

A chance to see on the big screen Attenborough’s landmark documentary celebrating the beauty of our oceans, the challenges posed by climate change and how to secure their future.

From a cinema with a view of the sea.

Tickets £7.50 evening, £5 day and reduced-price bundles for the whole weekend.

Presented by Staithes Cinema Club, running monthly cinema screenings in Staithes from September to May

Visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stpeterscentre for tickets or log on to https://facebook.com/StaithesCinemaClub for more details.