Holmfirth Film Festival

Fundraiser for Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team

Oscar winning documentary of the year sees Alex Honnold attempt to conquer El Capitan's 900 metre vertical rock face, in Yosemite National Park, without a rope. More than a climbing film, this a breathless and astonishing story of perseverance.

Dir. Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (US 2018, 100mins 15)

True story of hard-drinking and broke author, Lee Israel (an excellent Melissa McCarthy), who hatches a scheme with fellow boozer, a typically great Richard E. Grant, to sell fake celebrity letters. Rich in character, funny, sad, and hugely enjoyable.

Dir. Marielle Heller (US 2018, 107mins 12)

This documentary proved to be one of the most popular screenings from the Festival - and deservedly so. The story of three lost boxes recovered in Mexico in 2007. The boxes, misplaced in the chaos of WWII, contained 4,400 negatives of the war photographers of the Spanish Civil War, including those of Robert Capra. Beautiful score by Michael Nyman.

An extraordinary, unsettling and starkly imaginative version of the Lewis Carroll tale. Not only different to the other productions but by far the best. First aired on the BBC on 28 December 1966 and starring a whole host of 60s British actors, it challenges the notion that we are now living in the golden age of television.

Dir. Jonathan Miller (UK 1966, 70mins PG)

Followed by a selection of the very best international short films screened by the Festival over the past ten years. Including films from Spain, France, America and the UK:

Powerful and unsettling political satire; war film of the year? True story of a German deserter in the last days of the war who embarks on a brutal odyssey putting on the uniform of a SS officer. A chilling performance from Max Hubacher as the Captain.

Dir. Robert Schwentke (Germany 2018, 119mins 15)

This Foreign Language Oscar nominee and Cannes winner is a freakish documentary-like drama on the civil war in Ukraine's eastern region where the lawless fanatics in control of gangs unleash open conflict, crimes and looting. Kaleidoscope of fake-news and degradation: war film of the year?

Dir. Sergei Loznika (Ukraine 2018, 121mins 15)

A very good and precise directorial debut from Cooper who also stars in this moving tear-jerker musical love story with an excellent Lady Gaga, the young musician who finds fame as her mentor is dragged down by age and alcoholism.

Dir. Bradley Cooper (US 2018, 134mins 15)

If you haven't seen it or have only seen it five times, here is the most popular and entertaining film of the year. Rami Malek as Freddy Mercury is extraordinary. A film that borders on kitsch somehow manages to turn into a thrilling and meaningful movie.

Dir. Bryan Singer (US 2018, 133mins 12)

Not the usual festival fair but this was one of the highlights of the year and for some critics deserved an Oscar. A smart, funny, intelligent and hugely entertaining spin on the Spiderman enterprise. A great film for all the family.

This swansong to Robert Redford is probably the most enjoyable film of the year. Beautifully acted, the ease of Redford is matched by Sissy Spacek in a 'mostly true' tale of an elderly, gentleman bank robber coming to the end of his days. Wonderfully directed in '70s style.

Dir. David Lowery (US 2018, 94mins 12)