This weekend marked the start of Scotland’s International Film Festival for Children and Young People, Dundee’s very own annual celebration of film.
Opening on Saturday with a sold-out screening of the acclaimed A Cat In Paris, the Discovery Film Festival treated audience members to an entertaining and informative question and answer session with the film’s co-director and scriptwriter, Alain Gagnol, followed by a full spread of French-themed food and events.
Hosted by Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) and in partnership with Dundee University, Dundee City Council and Creative Scotland the festival differs from its competitors in its relatively unique focus on inspiring and accommodating young talent, bolstering interest in the arts with a refreshingly passionate approach to cinema. With a number of workshops complementing the selected films, DCA is giving attendees the chance to participate in everything from performance poetry to a lecture on film blogging.
Now in its eighth year, the festival’s organisers have lined up an impressive variety of films, largely aimed at a younger audience.
Over the coming week there are chances to see Twigson (Knerton), You’ve Been Trumped and Light of the River; not to mention a screening of Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated adaptation of Herg’s The Adventures of Tintin to be introduced by local lecturer Chris Murray, who will tie the film in to Dundee’s own comic tradition.
Running until November 6, this is the perfect platform from which to introduce a new generation of cinemagoers to the joys of quality world cinema.
Find out more at www.discoveryfilmfestival.org.uk
By Steven Neish of popcornaddiction.com