A new family film festival is coming to Chester this autumn.

Taking place during half term from October 31-November 4, the event will be hosted in Chester Town Hall featuring a range of films, free activities and workshops.

The festival opens on Hallowe’en and will screen spooky kids films Frankenweenie, directed by Tim Burton, and Coraline featuring the voice talents of Teri Hatcher and Dakota Fanning.

Also on Hallowe’en, festival goers can attend a free workshop to create a short stop-motion animation film using a light box, shadow puppets and IPads.

Alex Clifton, artistic director of Storyhouse, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing another festival to Chester’s event line-up. When Storyhouse opens next year we want families to visit our library and cinema as part of their weekly activity and the festival is an opportunity to meet and get to know some of our future communities.”

Storyhouse, which also runs the Wayword children's literature festival, will be staging a new family film festival this October half term
Storyhouse, which also runs the Wayword children's literature festival, will be staging a new family film festival this October half term

Each day of the festival has its own theme and Tuesday, November 1 is all about Adventure. Award-winning animation film Long Way North, set in 19th century Russia, will be screened in the morning followed by the cult classic E.T.

On Wednesday, November 2, the festival theme is Pirates – in the morning an all-star cast including Hugh Grant and David Tennant star in Aardman studios’ Pirates! An Adventure with Scientists! followed by Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams in Hook.

Thursday, November 3 will present a day of Slapstick activities including a screening of the pie-fighting Bugsy Malone.

In the afternoon, in a fascinating illustration of the invisible but vital role that music plays in film and comedy, Neil Brand (who tours with Paul Merton on his silent movie events),will accompany hilarious clips live on the piano, introducing today’s young audience to the joys of the golden slapstick Hollywood era. In the evening Brand returns to present an evening on the silent film genius Buster Keaton.

On Friday, November 4, the 2016 remake of The Jungle Book starring Bill Murray as Baloo the bear will be screened in the morning followed by animated fairy tale featuring sea monsters Song of The Sea, forming a line up that’s all about Animals.

Throughout the festival Storyhouse will be hosting free craft workshops at the Town Hall, where children are invited to create, make, build and design – all inspired by the theme of the day.

Workshops are free and tickets for films are £6.50 – kids go free, one per full paying adult. To find out more and book visit storyhouse.com/familyfilm