As an Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton is used to the glitz and glamour that usually accompanies film festivals. But the British star has decided to create her own – with a twist – in her hometown of Nairn in north-east Scotland.
Where celebrities are not invited and entry is free to members of the public who bring along fairy cakes, the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams event has got underway at the seaside town.
Audiences who arrives for the screenings – which have been chosen by Tilda as some of her favourite films – will be able to sit on beanbags and tuck into sandwiches at the former Victorian ballroom turned bingo hall.
Organiser Matt Lloyd explained that Tilda and partner John Byrne came up with the idea after seeing children transfixed at a local screening of Rebecca.
"It was one of the main aims of the festival, to provide an environment where kids could watch films they might not otherwise have a chance to see," he said.
Running until August 23, the festival will show a variety of films, including Singin' In The Rain, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Murder Most Foul.
And just four days after the close of the festival, Tilda will be back on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival with Hollywood hunks George Clooney and Brad Pitt for their latest film, Burn After Reading.
