Bring film back to LIFE

As well as showings of great new films including The Flying Lesson, Roses in Winter and animated feature, Placebo, the University of Central Lancashire will also host screenings of horror movie, Slasher House, made by Preston man Michael Dixon, and Wraith, a feature-length thriller made by their own film students. The festival, now in its third year, opens tomorrow until Sunday, April 14, at venues around the university, with new screenings, masterclasses and a chance to network and work with other filmmakers – or just enjoy films.

Friday’s highlight is showings of Flying Lesson, Roses in Winter and Placebo from 6.30pm at the institution’s Mitchell and Kenyon Cinema.

Saturday features masterclasses in screenwriting, future film makers, animation and more, plus one to one sessions with industry experts including Tim Searle, of TV production company Baby Cow, Hannah North and Jim Poyser.

And finalists line up to discover the winner of the Preston Animation Competition.

One highlight is a screening of feature length thriller, Wraith, produced by UCLAN film students, a supernatural tale about a man who learns to project his spirit into other people’s bodies but then discovers his teacher has invaded his own body, left vulnerable by his absence – and refuses to leave. Directed by Beth Norwood, Wraith stars ex Hollyoaks actress Terri Dwyer and shows in the Mitchell and Kenyon Cinema from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

On Saturday at 7.30pm, another local film maker comes to the fore, with a showing of independent horror flick, Slasher House, made by Preston film maker Michael J Dixon, in Mitchell and Kenyon, with a Q and A with the writer and director, a UCLAN film graduate.

Slasher House, shot in an abandoned Isle of Wight prison, shows a young girl waking naked and alone in a strange house – which she soon realises harbours the world’s worst serial killers.

At 8pm, there is a showing of Silver Linings Playbook at the Mitchell and Kenyon Cinema by the 1 in 4 Festival and UCLAN Film Soceity

Also part of the festival is the 100 Challenge competition, to create an original movie in that time, The cream of entries will be shown in UCLAN’S main theatre from 5.15pm to 7pm on Saturday before the winner is announced in a ceremony at Preston’s New Continental pub, in South Meadow Lane, on Sunday.

The festival ends with a final event, the Eject Party, from 3pm to 5pm at the Continental.

For info or to reserve tickets, see uclan.ac.uk/life or email [email protected].