SEVENTEEN films, 10 venues, 10 days – that’s what’s promised for this year’s Swindon Film Festival, which gets under way on Friday, March 1 at Swindon Central Library and concludes on Sunday, March 10 at Cricklade Town Hall.

And the line-up of movies includes something for everyone – blockbusters such as Skyfall, award-winning documentaries, acclaimed European cinema, and films for all the family.

Tickets go on sale today for the festival, which is now in its fourth year.

It will be using Commonweal School in Old Town for the first time, with a screening of the French love story Rust And Bone. Wootton Bassett School is also hosting a film, Anna Karenina, on March 5.

Other venues include North Swindon Library, Swindon Arts Centre, Swindon Dance Theatre, St Michael’s Hall, Highworth, Wroughton’s Ellendune Centre and Broad Hinton Village Hall.

The festival is organised by Swindon Film Society, and its chairwoman, Barbara Hoffbauer, said: “We’re really pleased with the mix of films and events that are coming up. It is quite a challenge to fit all the different films and venues and interests together, but now all the bits of the jigsaw are together I think it’s true to say that there is something for everyone to look forward to .

"We were sorting out the film choices during January, and it was great that so many of the titles we were settling on also came up in the Oscar and BAFTA short-lists – so we’re hoping our films win a few prizes later this month. And many of them haven’t been shown in Swindon before.

"We’ve extended the festival circuit this year to include Broad Hinton Village Hall, which is a lovely venue. And we’re hoping that the family films at Highworth and Cricklade on the Sunday afternoons of the festival will be popular.

“There are also some exciting events lined up, on the Big Screen and at Swindon Central Library. “We’re delighted to be working on this with Swindon Viewpoint, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, and with the English Heritage Britain from Above project."

Tickets (and reservations for the free events) from the Visitor Information Centre at the Central Library, call 01793 466454 or email: infocentre@swindon.gov.uk.

Tickets prices for most of the films are £5 standard, £4 concessions, and there's a "buy three and get one more free" advance booking offer. Full details on the website www.swindonfilmfestival.org, or phone 01793 330639 for more information.