Rural film festival under way with 290 screenings

A film festival with 290 screenings spread across 23 venues in rural areas has got under way.

Borderlines has a programme of 70 films including Oscar nominated Conclave and The Brutalist, plus films from as far afield as Korea. A third of the screened films are not on general release.

Festival director Naomi Vera-Sanso said it was the largest rural film festival in the UK and among the largest in the country. It takes place across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Malvern and the Welsh borders.

The festival kicked off on Friday and runs until 15 March.

Last year's festival had 21,500 attendances at screenings held in village halls and market town venues, Ms Vera-Sanso said.

She said film festivals had continuing appeal, even in the age of streaming.

"A film should be seen on a really big screen with the equipment to give the very best experience," she said.

"If you're watching at home with a cup of tea, you pause. Your concentration is diluted. In a cinema, people are watching, engaged, and they can't get up and leave."

The Borderlines programme also includes talks with directors and question and answer sessions.

This year will be the festival's 23rd edition.

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