More highlights of this year’s Bradford International Film Festival have been announced, including the first ever international retrospective for Japanese director Yoshitaro Nomura, considered one of the pioneers of Japanese Film Noir.

Film passes have gone on sale for the 20th festival, in partnership with Virgin Media. It runs from March 27 to April 6, followed by Widescreen Weekend from April 10 to 13.

While the full programme is to be announced soon, newly-announced highlights include a focus on Mr Nomura, a director renowned for his adaptations of mystery and detective novels over a 50-year career during which he directed 89 films.

His 1974 thriller Castle of Sand, ranked as one of the greatest ever Japanese films, will be screened during the festival.

Other events include the world premiere of Secrets of Nature - Sounds Unseen, silent films with original music performed live by three-piece band Metamono performing on recycled and handmade equipment, and a performance of Hell’s Hinges, a classic silent western with new score by the Dodge Brothers and Neil Brand.