YOUNG film lovers across Hampshire can enjoy a free, fun and educational trip to the cinema at the Into Film Festival 2016 – the world’s biggest youth film festival - which returns from November 9 to 25 with its diverse programme of free screenings and events for five to 19-year-olds.

The Festival, which uses the power of film to captivate young minds and bring learning to life, will host over 30 screenings and events across Hampshire, including a tribute to Roald Dahl’s centenary year and screenings linked to diversity, well being and anti-bullying.

The annual celebration of film and education, made possible by funding from Cinema First and support from the BFI through Lottery funding, is a UK wide collaboration with supporters including actors Michael Sheen, Eddie Redmayne, Carey Mulligan, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen and Helena Bonham Carter.

To mark the Roald Dahl centenary, there will be screenings of the classic Dahl title Danny the Champion of the World and the new Steven Spielberg adaptation of The BFG at cinemas across the county.

An IMAX screening of A Beautiful Planet, a documentary that explores Earth as seen from the International Space Station, will take place at Odeon Southampton.

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet will be screened at Reel in Fareham, tying in with the Shakespeare400 celebrations to mark 400 years since the Bard's death.

Finding Dory, The Secret Life of Pets, Kubo and the Two Strings, Zootropolis, Swallows and Amazons, The Danish Girl, 12 Years A Slave, Dreams of a Life, The Girl with all the Gifts and Ghostbusters also make up part of the Hampshire programme.

The film titles - encompassing blockbusters, adaptations of novels and plays, British and classic films, documentaries, foreign language and world cinema - will address the importance of diversity and encourage young people to empathise with others. Films exploring changes in circumstance, environment, bullying and transition will offer the chance to debate current topics including immigration, loss and discrimination as well as individuals, movements and achievements that have changed the course of history or challenged our way of life.

In 2015 338,000 young people across England engaged with the Festival.

Actor, Director and Into Film Ambassador, Sir Kenneth Branagh, said: “I’m thrilled to support the Into Film Festival. It’s an incredible opportunity for young people to experience the cinema and be immersed in a film or a discussion. The fact that they could watch something that they would not necessarily consider seeing on their own - all for free - is a truly magnificent offer. I hope that young people and teachers take advantage of the Into Film Festival and come away with a head full of new insights, ideas and an invigorated passion for film.”

For more details, visit intofilm.org/festival