OCTOBER

RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Where: London W1
When: 1-12 Oct
What: “The voice of indie film”, dedicated to fostering and promoting independent cinema. As well as the main competitive festival and prestigious British Independent Film Awards, there are also training courses and more. Price: various. Web: www.raindancefilmfestival.org

LOCAL EVENT
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE
Where: Various venues, Cheltenham
When: 10-19 Oct
What: No details at time of going to press, but expect hefty names from the world’s oldest literature festival (est. 1949) which last year played host to over 400 writers. Programme published in Aug. Price: various. Tel: 01242 227979, web: www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk

BFI LONDON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Where: South Bank, London
When: 15-20 Oct
What: The UK’s largest public film event, screening over 300 films from around 60 countries and attracting plenty of VIPs. Price: various. Tel: 0207 815 1323, web: www.lff.org.uk

LOCAL EVENT
BRISTOL CAJUN & ZYDECO FESTIVAL
Where: Bristol Folk House, Park St, Bristol
When: 17-19 Oct
What: Fifth outing for this weekend of Louisiana-style music, dance and food with bands playing a mixture of cajun and zydeco music, plus dance and music workshops and jam sessions. Cajun cooking, too. Price: tba. Web: www.bristolcajunfestival.com

WHITBY MUSICPORT WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Where: Bridlington Spa, East Yorks
When: 17-19 Oct
What: Swanky new venue, recently refurbed to the tune of £18m, for this mini-WOMAD-type affair by the beach. Acts slated for this year include Ivo Papasov & His Wedding Band (Bulgaria), The Levellers, Moussu T E Lei Jovents (France), Billy Cobham and Asere (Cuba/US), The Warsaw Village Band (Poland), Reem Kelani, Radik Tülüsh (Tyva), Martin Simpson, Maalstroom (NL), Carmen Souza (Cape Verde) and Papa Noel (DR Congo). New for 2008 (tbc): dedicated DJ/dance space, visual arts area, late-night festival club and extended festival market. Price: tbc, c£93 adult w/e. Tel: 01947 603475, web: www.musicportfestival.com

LOCAL EVENT
CLIFTONWOOD, HOTWELLS & SPIKE ISLAND ARTS TRAIL
Where: Cliftonwood, Hotwells & Spike Island, Bristol
When: 18-19 Oct
What: More than 100 artists exhibit in houses and other venues throughout the area, with pubs and cafes opening their doors to host artists, musicians and performers from 11am-11pm. Price: free..

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

FILMSTOCK
Where: The Hat Factory, Luton
When: 6-16 Nov
What: Groovy, independent film fest usually with around 150 new submissions, plus features like ‘Filmschlock’, an evening of how not to make movies. Price: various. Web: www.filmstock.co.uk

SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER 43
Where: Pontins Holiday Camp, Southport, Merseyside
When: 7-9 Nov
What: See 9-11 May. Prices: £150. Tel: 0870 990 1987, web: www.southportweekender.co.uk

LOCAL EVENT
ENCOUNTERS 12TH INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Where: Watershed, Canons Rd, Bristol
When: 18-23 Nov
What: The UK’s leading competitive short/animated film festival, which last year screened 1,750 entries from 66 countries spread across five exciting days. Debates, hands-on workshops and celebrity interviews, too, as well as a gala awards ceremony. Price: various. Tel: 0117 929 9188, web: www.encounters-festival.org.uk

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