FILM charity City Eye’s 12th annual Southampton Film Week gets under way today with a packed programme of film favourites.

You will find everything from silent classics with live music to young filmmakers showcasing their talent at events across Southampton every day until Sunday November 17.

Working closely with partners from cultural organisations and venues, cinema and the city’s two Universities, SFW2019 is the richest mix of all things film.

The festival kicks off with the beautiful and intriguing 1923 silent classic Salomé which will be screened at Turner Sims with live music composed by Charlie Barber. The film and live music strand continues with an opportunity to enjoy Southampton’s wonderful and unique Compton Pipe Organ at the 02 Guildhall accompanying the fabulous Harold Lloyd in another 1923 classic Safety Last. On the festival’s closing day you will find Teatime with Stan and Ollie along with other treasures from the silent age presented and accompanied by John Lenehan, again at Turner Sims.

But it’s not all about the classics! A varied programme of contemporary feature and short films, documentary and artist films feature alongside workshops, talks and masterclasses.

Two feature films will be hosted at the recently renovated and re-launched God’s House Tower as part of its opening programme which celebrates the Tower’s historic relationship with the sea when ‘waves once lapped against its walls’. Documentary Maiden tells the story of Tracy Edwards and the first all-female crew to compete in the round-the-world yacht race. 1975 shark thriller Jaws is also showing.

SFW: Shorts has again attracted filmmakers locally and from across the globe and the 17 shortlisted films will be screened at a gala awards night at NST City tomorrow night. Put on you glad-rags and join filmmakers on the red-carpet and celebrate all things film!

City Eye and Southampton Film Week Director Susan Beckett, hopes everyone finds something to inspire them. She told the Daily Echo: “Although most of us have the opportunity to watch film at home, on TV or online, unless very lucky we are quite unlikely to have one of the filmmakers or stars join us on the sofa! And there is nothing quite like the experience of sitting in a darkened room with a group of friends and strangers to share a magical movie moment.”