More than 20 special events are taking place over two weeks to engage young people’s interest in the world of cinema.

Organisers have been delighted with the initial response to the Aldeburgh and Coastal Young People’s Film Festival and are hoping that youngsters across east Suffolk will take the opportunity to see some of the films on offer.

Leiston Film Theatre, Riverside Woodbridge, The Cut, Halesworth, Ipswich Film Theatre, Orford Town Hall, Lowestoft Library, Aldeburgh Cinema’s main auditorium as well as a specially-created pop-up studio space, are hosting events for the festival, which got under way at the weekend and runs until February 19.

All ages are catered for from three years upwards with the programme specially designed to be entertaining, fun and inspirational.

Special film screenings designed to enhance the schools’ curriculum have been arranged for pupils of Farlingaye High, Suffolk New College, Suffolk One College and Summerhill School.

Schools were also invited to get involved by entering a short film competition themed An Iconic Story Retold in Five Minutes.

The Aldeburgh Cinema Trust is organising the festival – partly funded by the Coastal Communities Fund – as part of an ongoing project to develop the provision of high-quality film and creative activities for children, young people and families.

Aldeburgh Cinema’s general manager, Thomas Gerstenmeyer, said the support for the event had been “overwhelming”.

He said: “We are keen to get everyone involved in the inspirational and creative world of film and are proud to work with local schools and venues to create an interesting programme for children and young people of all ages to enjoy.”

Programme highlights include Windstorm; Antboy: Revenge of the Red Fury; Landfillharmonic; Speed Sisters; The Big Knights; and the best of the East Anglian Student Film Festival. Full details can be found in an online version of the programme at www.aldeburghcinema.co.uk