WINCHESTER Film Festival has committed to a new Culture for All policy.

This comes following the annual event taking on a new format which saw it split into two parts.

As previously reported, the first half of the festival took place in November, while the second part will be held in February.

Hampshire Chronicle: Winchester Film Festival has launched a new Culture for All policyWinchester Film Festival has launched a new Culture for All policy (Image: Winchester Film Festival)

The festival has been running for more than a decade and was called “brave” in 2018 for screening the film Detainment which humanised the two child murders of Jamie Bulgar.

The festival has also screened movies from directors who have been censored in their own countries, including an annual showing of Whispers from Iran.

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Festival director John Hayes said: “While there is a risk involved in screening films that test boundaries the upside is that the films broaden horizons at a time when world views are becoming ever more polarised.

"This doesn’t mean that we don’t screen crowd-pleasing films. For every provocative, experimental or thought-provoking film, we seek to screen one that tickles the senses and makes our audience laugh. The challenge is finding the right balance.

Hampshire Chronicle: Festival director John Hayes said: We try to inspire as diverse an audience as possibleFestival director John Hayes said: We try to inspire as diverse an audience as possible (Image: Winchester Film Festival)

“With this balance in mind, we try to inspire as diverse an audience as possible. To help facilitate this diversity, this year we have committed to a new Culture for All policy, with concessions not only for students, under-25s and over 65s, but also for anyone on a low income.

“For those who still can’t afford a ticket, we offer a fee waiver”.

More information about the film festival's new Culture for All policy, and the upcoming screenings in February and March, can be found by visiting its website.