THE swinging 60s has provided the inspiration for this year’s Golden Years Film Festival, which takes place across five days next month.

The festival, now in its third year, is hosted by Bradford UNESCO City of Film in partnership with Picturehouse at the National Science and Media Museum.

It runs from Monday, April 16, to Friday, April 20, and is aimed at an older audience, although it is open to all.

The festival has a retro theme for 2018 featuring iconic films, people and places from the 60s and 70s.

The programme includes a documentary on ice skating king John Curry; feature films including a special widescreen Cinerama experience and an opportunity to delve into the Marks & Spencer’s archives with a look at fashion from the era. Leading film experts will be hosting talks including Professor Duncan Petrie from the University of York and experts from the Remembering 1960s British Cinema-going project at University College London.

David Wilson, director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Golden Years to Bradford for a third year with a programme which has such broad appeal.

“We have some fabulous guests including Helena Roddis who is bringing for the first time, some of the M&S Company Archive collection to Bradford.

“Our programme is designed with older people in mind but with a heavy emphasis on the universally popular 60s and 70s, we’re expecting interest from

all generations.”

All events will take place in the Pictureville cinema at the National Science and Media Museum.

Roxy van der Post, marketing manager and access champion at Picturehouse Bradford said: “The social aspect of cinema-going is hugely important to us and the Golden Years Film Festival is a great way to connect audiences across generations and encourage story-sharing.

“This year, I am particularly excited about our Dementia-Friendly Cinerama performance, as this is the first time audiences are able to enjoy this unique film format in a relaxed environment.”

The festival launches at 11.30am on Monday, April 16, with the documentary The Ice King, the story of the greatest ice skater of all time, John Curry, who made history by becoming the first openly gay Olympian.

On Wednesday Helena Roddis will be sharing highlights from the M&S Company Archive film collection showing vintage M&S adverts.

A sixties classic concludes the festival on Friday, April 20, beginning at 11am, with a film showing of The L- Shaped Room. The kitchen sink drama follows the life of a young French woman who finds herself single and pregnant in London’s Notting Hill.

For full details of all the events included in this year’s festival programme visit bradford-city-of-film.com/enjoy/golden-years-film-festival/