Five days of movie magic on the silver screen in Kirkcaldy

This year’s event, run by Fife Cultural Trust, is celebrating 100 years of movie masterpieces with a packed programme offering a selection of cinematic gems for everyone.

The festival kicked off last night (Wednesday) with the slapstick genius of Charlie Chaplin in ‘The Rink’ and the jaw dropping stunt work of Buster Keaton in ‘The General’.

Tonight (Thursday) festival goers will get a taste of the golden age of Hollywood musicals with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in ‘Swing Time’, whilst tomorrow there’s three chances to enjoy the big screen; the post-war film-noir claustrophobia of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in ‘The Big Sleep’ and favourite John Wayne western, ‘The Searchers’ will be shown during the day before Friday evening’s red-carpet gala night takes place with a special screening of 1966 saucy horror spoof, ‘Carry On Screaming’.

Those attending the gala screening are being encouraged to get into the spooky spirit by coming along dressed as their favourite movie monsters!

Other classics across the weekend include everyone’s favourite boxing blockbuster, ‘Rocky’, the director’s cut of sci-fi masterpiece, ‘Aliens’, ‘Brassed Off’, starring Scotland’s own Ewan McGregor, and Oscar and Bafta-winning German drama, ‘The Lives Of Others’, whilst for families there’s a screening of Spielberg’s exciting new film ‘The BFG’, which was partly filmed in Scotland.

The festival will close in style with what is a major coup for KFF; a screening of highly acclaimed futuristic horror drama, ‘The Girl With All The Gifts’ on September 18, ahead of its general release to the public on September 23.

Based on the zombie book of the same name, written by Mike Carey, this post-apocalytpic thriller stars Gemma Arterton and Glenn Close and is directed by Edinburgh-based Colm McCarthy and produced by Angus Lamont from Glasgow.

Following the screening Angus will take part in a discussion about the film with acclaimed author Mike Carey.

Evan Henderson, programme manager, said: ““We are very much looking forward to welcoming all the guest speakers to the festival this year and are particularly proud to be screening ‘The Girl With All The Gifts’.

“The film is a brave, intelligent and violent reinvention of the zombie apocalypse genre which is sure to be appreciated by fans of independent UK cinema as well as followers of similar movies such as 28 Days Later.”

The festival’s line-up has also been given the thumbs up all the way from Hollywood.

Film star and Fifer Dougray Scott is the festival’s patron and says he’s impressed by the range of films on offer.

“I feel very proud that a festival such as this, which celebrates the diversity of cinema from true classics to inspiring independent films, is hosted in a place I will always call my home,” he said.

“Kirkcaldy Film Festival has proven, year after year, that film can be innovative, educational and entertaining all at once and I feel very honoured to have been part of that journey.”

Alan Morrison, KFF16 artistic director, added: “Whether these films are old favourites or new discoveries, there is no denying that they will all look glorious on the Adam Smith Theatre’s big screen.”

It’s still not too late to get tickets which you can do by calling the Adam Smith Box Office on 01592 583302 or visiting the website www.onfife.com.