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FILM: Family Friendly Film Festival, various locations until 17 Aug

Angela Kelly
6/ 8/2008

AN EVENT to keep the whole family engrossed for the next 10 days gets underway on Friday.

The 3rd Family Friendly Film Festival has plenty to offer all ages as it hits screens at more venues than ever before – including less obvious places like museums, libraries, theatres and art galleries as well as cinemas.

And it’s not just films! There are workshops, free drop-ins, themed events and even the chance to make films using professional equipment.

Organiser Leah Byrne told metromagazine: "I really felt the city needed a family-friendly festival that would provide great, affordable entertainment during the holidays for families, would showcase what amazing museums, galleries and theatres we have and would guarantee an experience that the whole family would enjoy.

"I find I am frequently disappointed by the family films we do get. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great ones like WALL-E, but mostly I just hear complaints from parents about how they have had to sit through two hours of rubbish, and laments about how much better kids’ films they knew from their childhood were.

"We have picked a variety of films – some old classics, some films that would have been parents’ favourites when they were young, some that tie in with what a museum or gallery is doing and some that you just won’t get the chance to see anywhere else but really, really should.

"We have picked films that will get the whole family talking, laughing and enjoying the experience together."

The good news is that many of the events are free and none of them costs more than a fiver. There’s also something for every age – even three to seven- year-olds aren’t missed out as on Friday they can watch favourite characters Charlie and Lola in episodes from the TV series at Manchester Art Gallery.

There’s a comprehensive and fun programme including Pirates Arrrrggghhh Cool Day at the Stockport Plaza on Sunday, which is pirate-themed mayhem with swashbuckling activities from 12noon to 5.15pm for four to 12-year-olds. Disney classic Peter Pan and much-loved fairy tale The Princess Bride are being screened.

On Saturday, drop in at Imperial War Museum North at Salford Quays with drawings, cartoons and artwork to bring them to life with animation techniques. And on Sunday, mums, dads and kids can all Make a Film in a Day at the WFA Media & Culture Centre in Lucy Street, off Stretford Road, Hulme, and see who makes the best short film!

Other workshops include a Claymation Workshop at Zion Arts Centre, also in Hulme, on Saturday, August 16 to bring claymation figures to the screen, and award winning Horse and Bamboo Theatre shows youngsters how to make and decorate animal masks at a Wild Tales Workshop at The Met in Bury on the same day.

Fans of Manga characters may enjoy two events – one a workshop at the Zion Art Centre and another at Urbis, and there’s a Spotlight on Israel at Manchester Jewish Museum next Tuesday.

On Monday, Festival Fiesta takes place at Urbis with an afternoon of exciting family workshops, great giveaways and competitions, plus screenings and animation workshops.

Later the same day, there’s A Night at the Museum. Bring a picnic, wear your jammies (or dress as a dinosaur) for an exclusive chance to see the museum after hours and join in some fun activities including about dinosaurs. There’s a spooky tour of the galleries and then at 7.15pm, a special screening of the Ben Stiller film A Night at the Museum.

On Sunday, August 17 there’s a Harry Potter-themed day at the John Ryland’s library and there are screenings of short films like Where The Wild Thngs are at various locations over the festival period.

For festival listings go to www.familyfriendlyfilmfestival.org.uk.