Future Artists 1st Birthday Film Celebration 17th July

Fans of the big screen are being invited to take part in an action packed day to celebrate Manchester's film industry.

A series of events is being held at venues across the city to bring together actors, writers, directors and film fans, on Saturday, July 17.

"We wanted to bring the people of Salford and Manchester together to celebrate our thriving creative media and film industry," said Mark Ashmore, of Salford-based film and media production studio Future Artists, which is organising the event to mark its first birthday.

"We have some amazingly talented people in the City, who adapt to change as if it where in their blood, media is changing, social media has changed everything, and the way we make film is changing, these are changing times don't you know, so this event states this and our future artists intentions"

The Picnic in the Park event will start at noon with a conference at the Zion Arts Centre, in Hume, to give people the chance to discuss press issues in the local and global film industry.

This will be follow at 1pm by a giant picnic to be held at Hume Park with the whole of Manchester invited.

"People can come to our conference and get the chance to talk about whatever they want," said Jenny Inchbald, who is also from Future Artists.

"It doesn't matter if you're just getting interested in film, or you've been in the industry for years. It's a great chance to meet people in the industry and share your views.

"Then we want to move the conference over to the park. We'll have live music and entertainment."

At 5pm Future Artists will be showing a double-bill of films back at the Zion Arts Centre, including the award winning comedy Beyond the Pole, produced by Helana Baxendale, of Friends and Cold Feet fame, with tickets just £6.

Finally, a party is being planned at the FAC251 club starting at 10pm to end the day.

Mark added: "We're hoping for a great turnout throughout the day. We have some great films on show and hope people will be able to share our passion for this City's thriving film industry, and meet others who are interested in cinema."

For more information, or advanced tickets to the screening, go to www.futureartists.co.uk.

Tickets for the film will also be available on the door.