WHO needs popcorn when the 2011 Screen Bites food and film festival is all set to offer so much more?

Now in its seventh year, Screen Bites is the country’s only film fest which shows food-themed feature films alongside tastings and mini-farmers markets of local food products.

The festival runs from October 6 to November 5, plus a Christmas film at the Rex Cinema at Wareham on December 18.

The free, full colour programme, with a directory of nearly 80 local food producers, farm shops and food businesses, is available from tourist information centres, participating farm shops and in village halls and shops across Dorset, in south Somerset and in south west Wiltshire.

In and around the Bridport area, Screen Bites is delighted to be back at Broadwindsor’s Comrades Hall on October 21, with A Good Year, set on a French vineyard and starring Russell Crowe.

The festival returns to one of its favourite venues, Wootton Fitzpaine village hall on October 13, with a touching and funny Italian film Loose Cannons.

As always there will be food from the Fivepenny Farm team and this year a new farm shop, Felicity’s at Morcombelake will be at Wootton Fizpaine.

If you haven’t yet visited Felicity’s head out to Morcombelake and sample the fabulous food in the shop and the homemade delights to take away at The Filling Station.

This farm shop is a really good addition to the local scene. Also new at Wootton Fitzpaine will be wine-tasting from Furleigh Vineyard.

Screen Bites is back for a second year at Litton Cheney, on November 3 with Bottle Shock – look out for a chance to meet the real Stephen Spurrier, whose story is told in this brilliant film, starring Alan Rickman.

Other highlights include the first big screen showing in the area of Nigel Slater’s Toast (Stourton Caundle, October 15), the National Trust once again at Barrington Court for a Hallowe’en themed Scream Bites, with the Bollywood comedy horror, It’s A Wonderful Afterlife on October 30, and a spectacular finale at The Exchange at Sturminster Newton on November 5 with a big farmers and producers market, a visit by Dorset Farmers Market mobile kitchen, and the film is Letters To Juliet.

Guest speakers include Giles Henschel, founder of Olives Et Al, Screen Bites’ principal sponsor since the festival began and Steve Oxford talking about the centenary of his family’s bakery business.

For bookings call 01963 32525 or email screenbites@thanks giving.demon.co.uk For full details pick up a programme or log onto screenbites.co.uk.