The fifth annual Cromarty Film Festival kicks off on Friday 2^nd December with Ian Rankin heading a fabulous line-up of wonderful festival guests willing to share and talk about their favourite films with an audience.

Other guests will include Chris Young, the producer of this year’s major British hit film ‘The In-Betweeners’; Film and television director Kenny Glenaan, the director of last year’s hit film ‘Summer'; Radio Scotland’s Edi Stark, presenter of ‘Stark Talk’; Sergio Casci, who’ll be talking about screenwriting and showing his latest film ‘The Caller’, and Derek Adams, the Ross County football manager whose favourite film is ‘Coach Carter’.

Films will be screened in a number of locations around the town and this year, Cromarty’s famous lighthouse will also provide a viewing opportunity with films being screened both on it and inside it!

David Newman, one of the Festival founders said: “With more people wanting to screen their films at the festival we’re having to find ever more interesting ways and places to accommodate them. Aberdeen University offered us the use of the lighthouse and we simply couldn’t say no!”

As well as a wonderful eclectic mix of films being screened, the festival will this year also feature a number of talks, one of which will be centred around the life and times of Hollywood cinematographer Ed du-Par, the uncle of one of the town’s residents. Ed worked with such luminaries as Al Jolson, Charlie Chaplin, James Cagney, Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart and James Dean to name but a few.Tickets are available on line from the Eden Court box office or in person from The Emporium in Cromarty until Friday 2nd Dec (closed Monday) from 11am to 1:00 pm. You can buy tickets for all events, subject to availability during the festival from The Brewery which is the Festival Hub, with screens, cafe and bar. It will be open from 2:00 pm ’til late, Fri, Sat. & Sun. Some of our venues are very small and seat a maximum of 30 folk, so you would be wise to buy tickets ASAP if you are keen on a particular film or talk.

The Grand Finale is again at RESOLIS HALL on Sunday evening where Ian Rankin will be telling us why MICMACS is one of his favourite films. Same format as last year : Film, Gabis Curry, a glass of wine. THERE IS NO BAR SO B.Y.O.B. Live music from Two’s Company, the coolest duo around, featuring composer and keyboard wizard Andy May (he composed and performed the terrific score for Battleship Potemkin last year) and Stuart Nisbet, the Proclaimers’ guitarist. And a free bus from Cromarty – all for £5 so hurry and get your tickets soon!

Source: Cromarty Arts Trust