Cambridge Film Festival - it’s what the dark nights (and gloomy daytimes) are made for. Yes, our city’s world-class film fest is back with a stunning opening feature on 20 October. ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ arrives garlanded with honours for Best Screenplay and Best Actor in Colin Farrelll. It is the work of Martin McDonagh (‘in Bruges’, ‘Three Billboards…’ and ‘Missouri’. It promises to be a stunner and sets the eight-day festival off to a flying start.

As my alma mater, I take any opporuntity to see a film set in Bradford. ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ won the audience award at this year’s Sheffield DocFest and focuses on the ageing members of the Bradford Movie Makers club. Folk approaching their 90s reminisce about their glory days, the challenges of new-fangled digital goings on…. I think it will be a film about companionship, working-class bonds and Yorkshire humour

Among the other filmic nuggets is the Laura Poitras documentary ‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’ about the artist Nan Goldin and her part in the slaying of a big pharma giant. Then there’s the Cannes Palme d’Or winner, ‘Triangle of Sadness’ – a critique of celebrity and power. Many of the movies such as ‘Aftersun’ come with a belt full of rave reviews and awards from festivals around the world.

Being a fan of animation, I am really looking forward to ‘Little Nicholas’ which follows the adventures of a mischievous boy, his schoolmates, teacher and parents in the Paris of the 1960s.

The CFF packs in 29 world or UK premieres out of a total of 85 films. There is a special tribute to Catalan cinema, classic horror, highlights of the international festivals and more.

Leading the way in festival diversity, half of the screenings are directed by women and a CFF Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award will for the first time be presented – the winner is….Emma Thompson.

One of the many delights of the CFF is the chance to see the work of talented directors from all corners of the globe (though the focus is very much on USA and Europe). For example, I am looking forward to catching ‘Father’s Day’ a fourth feature from Rwandan director Kivu Ruhorahoza and ‘Return to Dust’ from Chinese director Li Ruijun. Then who could resist ‘The Lure’ – the only Polish mermaid horror musical?

Lure is a good word for the CFF and I know that I won’t be alone in being easily lured into the exciting web of great films at the Arts Picturehouse.

Cambridge Critique will be reviewing many of the festival films so watch this space.

The complete Cambridge Film Festival programme is available at camfilmfest.com