A CHILL blast of Russian winter came to Bridport Arts Centre for the launch of this year's Page to Screen film festival.

But the only ice was in the cocktails made from West Dorset Black Cow vodka to go with the Cossack style hats sported by supporters who attended the event.

The Russian theme was to link with the big-screen showing of the film adaptation of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.

The festival, with the Arts Centre and the Electric Palace as venues, takes place from April 10 to 14 and is unique in featuring novels which have been transformed into film.

Welcoming people to the launch arts centre director Polly Gifford said that one of the themes of the festival this year would be the role of the producer.

“We don’t very often shine a light on what the producer does,” she added.

Ms Gifford said that for the first time Page to Screen would be going “on location” and showing the horror/thriller classic The Shining at the Burton Cliff Hotel at Burton Bradstock.

The 1980 film starring Jack Nicholson is set in an isolated hotel in the off-season. We are being given the run of the hotel, at night,” she said.

“It is the first time we have held an off-site event and it should be fantastic fun.”

Ms Gifford also thanked the Page to Screen committee for their work. “Everyone gives their time voluntarily to make this festival happen, “ she said.

Programme details for this year’s festival have now been released and include a special preview screening of the new vampire thrilled Byzantium.

Highlights include Hitchcock, about the making of Psycho, linked with the closing event Psycho Poetica.

More details and a festival blog can be found at frompagetoscreen.org.uk