ILKLEY Film Society opens its 49th season at Ilkley Playhouse on Sunday, September 10 at 8pm with Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated drama Sully, starring Tom Hanks.

The nail-biting film tells the true story of the pilot who saved 155 lives when he landed his disabled plane on New York's Hudson river in 2009, only to have his reputation and career threatened by a subsequent investigation. Was he a hero, using astonishing skills, or needlessly reckless?

Sully is the 35th film directed by the legendary Eastwood (currently directing another movie at the age of 87!) and, as well as the ever-popular Tom Hanks, also features the excellent Laura Linney. It was particularly successful in Japan where it won the prestigious Critic's Prize for best foreign-language film.

The Film Society's new season, selected with the aid of a members' poll, includes 24 films from 15 countries, including offerings from Mongolia, Estonia, Jordan, Argentina and Switzerland, and Oscar winners Moonlight (Best Film), Manchester By The Sea (Best Actor) and Iran's The Salesman (Best Foreign Language Film). The Society's French-language films are always a popular draw, and there are four in the new season. Other highlights include the marvellous Swedish comedy A Man Called Ove, the Korean erotic thriller The Handmaiden, and Ken Loach's much talked-about I, Daniel Blake.

As usual there will be a Christmas double bill as well as two special events: the glorious documentary The Beatles Eight Days A Week and the newly restored silent masterpiece The Informer.

Whenever possible films will be screened in Blu-ray format for the best possible image quality. The auditorium has an induction loop for those who use hearing aids.

Membership of the society is limited to 200 but places are still available (£40 for the full season, with nothing more to pay) and brochures with application forms can be found in Ilkley at the Library, Visitor Information Centre, Clarke Foley Centre and Ilkley Cinema. Enquiries can also be made via the the website at www.ilkleyfilmsociety.org

Non-members are welcome as guests (£4 per film) but their admission cannot be guaranteed unless they reserve tickets in advance by phoning Dave Howell on 01943 430097.