SPECIAL guests and stellar speakers have been announced for this year's From Page To Screen festival.

A highlight of the year for Bridport arts scene, the film festival has been curated by award-winning director Charles Sturridge, best known for his award-winning adaptation of Brideshead Revisited starring Jeremy Irons.

His most recent work was the ITV drama Churchill’s Secrets starring Michael Gambon.

Charles has directed several feature films, including Lassie, Fairytale: A True Story and A Handful of Dust which are being screened at the festival in Bridport.

With such a catalogue of work, Charles and festival organisers have managed to secure some illustrious guests for the line-up of speakers.

The first day of the festival features actress Claire Bloom, who starred alongside Richard Burton in the sixties classic thriller The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

Claire will be speaking alongside Charles following a screening of the John Le Carré thriller.

Later that day, Bridport Arts Centre will host an exclusive preview screening of Our Kind Of Traitor, another John Le Carré adaptation which stars Damian Lewis, Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harris. The film is not out for general release until May, but film director Susanna White, guest of honour of the festival, has arranged for a special screening.

The following night, there will be more major players from the film industry speaking at the festival. Executive Producers of the critically acclaimed film Carol, Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley, will be joined by biographer Andrew Wilson for a panel discussion on Patricia Highsmith, author of The Price of Salt, the novel Carol is based on.

The big Friday night film is The Big Short, a huge blockbuster starring Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling. The post film talk will bring a touch of realism to proceedings with Larry Elliott, economics editor of The Guardian reflecting on the subject of the film, the economic crash of 2008.

The much loved The Lady In The Van will also be screening which tells the story of an eccentric woman played by Maggie Smith, who lives in a van parked outside playwright Alan Bennett’s house.

Actor Alex Jennings, who plays Alan Bennett in the film will be taking part in a Q and A session after the film with the audience.

After the joviality of The Lady In The Van, things will take a turn to the occult with a late night screening of Nosferatu. This 1920 cult horror based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula will be accompanied by a live score by acclaimed film composer Adrian Johnston.

On the closing day of the festival, writer Evelyn Waugh’s grandson Alexander will be in conversation with Charles Sturridge discussing Evelyn's love of film and thoughts on adapting his work.

Running alongside the 22 films being screened over the five days, there will be children’s workshops and student film competitions running and special dining offers for local restaurants.

From Page To Screen Festival, Bridport Arts Centre March, 30 to April, 3. For full details and tickets visit frompagetoscreen.org.uk