The Bridport Film Society's new season of world cinema

The Bridport Film Society (BFS) has announced its new season which comprises a selection of contemporary films from all over the world, including France, Spain, Finland, Malta, Lebanon, China, Russia and India.

BFS committee member Tristan Allsop said: "Each year, our programming committee spends many hours watching and debating the merits of more than 80 films in pursuit of thought-provoking and inspiring choices. This year’s selection is richly diverse, full of hidden gems and aims also to deliver a few surprises along the way."

The season kicks off on Tuesday, September 27 with Summer of Soul, which brings alive the story of the unjustly forgotten 1969 Harlem Cultural festival with extraordinary early footage of Stevie Wonder, B B King, Nina Simone and many other icons of soul.

Other season highlights include Pedro Almodóvar’s, Parallel Mothers with Penelope Cruz; Balloon, a gentle story from Tibet; and Shoplifters, a film from Japan of which The Spectator said, 'wholly absorbing and it will steal your heart'.

BFS Chairman Chris Pike said: “I love that our film selections are so varied, and so global in their outlook. For many of these films, this is their only Dorset screening. Sure, it’s possible at great effort, to track some of them down on obscure streaming sites. But that’s hard work. Instead, let us curate those choices, freeing you to simply ‘delight in the unexpected’ at our fortnightly big screen events at Bridport Arts Centre. World cinema on your doorstep.”

Season membership is £35 for the 12 films.

Julia Borland, BFS Treasurer said: “Always mindful of our community remit, and conscious of the present ‘cost of living crisis’ we’ve decided again not to increase our membership fees, which is the seventh year in a row.”

Full season details are available at their website www.bridportfilmsociety.co.uk

Printed brochures are available from Bridport Arts Centre, The Bookshop, Fruits of the Earth, and Clocktower Music.