ILKLEY Film Festival has in a very short space of time gone from being a good idea with enthusiastic supporters to a vibrant event now in its second year.

It is a fresh addition to an already very varied selected of cultural events and festival taking place in and around Ilkley, and is showing every sign of becoming established, and becoming more widely known, both locally and outside the area.

Ilkley was already known for the highly-acclaimed Ilkley Literature Festival, in addition to long-running local festivals such as the Ilkley Festival of Performing Arts, known previously as the Wharfedale Music Festival. Festivals like the Autumn Arts Festival, and Ilkley Summer Festival, keep attractions going round the year. In recent years, more events have sprung up and quickly gained momentum, including the Ilkley Art Trail, which is expected to return this Autumn, following a year off. Now Ilkley is getting its name on the map for cinema.

The impressive backdrop of Ilkley Moor has been spotted and made good use of in numerous feature films and television productions, not least counting the surprise appearance of Hollywood star Drew Barrymore on the moor last year. It should be considered a natural move, then, for Ilkley to add a film festival to its attractions.