THE programme for this year’s first St Albans Film Festival has been announced and is bursting with events for movie-lovers and families.

Herts Advertiser: Oscar-nominated film A Cat in ParisOscar-nominated film A Cat in Paris (Image: Archant)

Fledgling actors and directors can learn about the tricks of the trade at the annual event which takes place from March 8 to 10.

Workshops on acting for the camera, talks on how to get started in film-making, beginners’ guides to editing and the chance to make and star in their own mini-movie are just some of the planned events for festival-goers.Oscar-nominated feature-length film A Cat in Paris will be screened in The Maltings with children encouraged to dress-up as furry felines, and a live edit of St Albans’ “very own dedication to all of the mums in the city” will be shown.

A host of other activities will also be spread out across St Albans, including day-time screenings for pre-schoolers, film-inspired face painting and the chance to produce a special Mother’s Day messages at Waterstones.

The Pioneer will be the main venue for the festival’s teens, student and young filmmakers throughout the weekend and is hosting a ‘filming extreme sports’ workshop on how to make an amazing music video and a teen movie.

There will also be a DJ night on Saturday, March 9.

Festival partner Lussmanns also recently announced a series of sustainability-themed film festival dinners in the run up to the opening of the inaugural event.

From March 5 to 7, Andrei Lussmann’s restaurant will host three key speakers including Sunday Times columnist Charles Clover, RSPCA’s head of public affairs David Bowles, and the managing director of the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

Dinner will be accompanied by a film, presentation and Q&A session with the experts, who have each championed sustainable ethics in their own way.

Andrei said: “This is a unique opportunity to enjoy an intimate evening with a trio of knowledgeable and engaging speakers who are carving out a more sustainable future.

“Guests at our Film Dinners will be able to hear from, and talk with, three experts who bring clarity and vision to issues that affect us all.”

St Albans film festival director Leoni Kibbey said: “The Lussmanns dinners are a wonderful addition to the Film Festival programme.

“It’s great to be able to combine food and film, bringing a delicious dimension to our packed weekend of events and we highly commend the values of sustainability that Lussmanns stands for.”

The full film festival programme is available at http://www.stalbansfilmfestival.com/programme.php

For Lussmanns film dinners reservations call Tom Filip on 01727 851 941.