Leeds Young Film festival returns for country’s largest family film event

Young people from across West Yorkshire are invited to sample award-winning films from across the world, giving them a chance to see award winning stories from cultures that they don’t always get to see on screen.

Running between April 1-8, the festival will feature a double bill of The Railway Children during which Leeds local Austin Haynes will be talking about his experiences as a member of the cast in the sequel.

The festival will also see the launch of movie club, a brand-new Easter holiday club, giving children an opportunity to come and see films at the cinema with their friends, their siblings or even on their own, with the Leeds Young Film team to look after them throughout the day.

The movie club will also give young people the opportunity to be film critics for the day sharing their reviews and discussing the films if they’d like to. There will also be an animation workshop with professional animators from InspirEd Workshops, where they will be able to get hands on with Lego, plasticine or make their own flipbook masterpieces.

The festival will open on Saturday 1 April with a full day of Harry Potter, giving attendees a chance to see the first three movies, dress up as their favourite Harry Potter character and take part in a whole host of wizarding fun. Not to mention having the chance to have their photos taken with real owls and their Harry Potter themed keepers, thanks to The Flying Squadron who will be there before the first film.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council's executive member for economy, culture, and education, said: “Leeds Young Film Festival is a fantastic event, and I am really looking forward to its return this Easter. Offering young people across Leeds a unique opportunity to sample award winning films from around the world and broaden their horizon, the film festival is a real cultural highlight.

“I would encourage any young people or families who are at a loose end over Easter to head down to the Carriageworks for what promises to be a great week of films.”

For more details and tickets on Leeds Young Film Festival and Movie Club, visit: https://www.leedsfilm.com/lyff-2023/