ACCLAIMED film director Francis Lee will attend the premiere screening of his latest movie in Keighley.

Francis Lee will be at the Picture House on Sunday, November 19 when Keighley Film Club host the showing of Gods Own Country. Following the 6pm screening at the North Street cinema Mr Lee will give a short speech then answer questions from the audience.

The film, which has been screened at the renowned Sundance Festival in the States, was shot in local locations including Laycock and Haworth.Mr Lee portrayed on screen the daily struggles of a hill farming community.

Film Club spokesman Allan Watkinson said the members were proud to host the first screening in town of a film written and directed by a local man.

He said: “Once again Keighley has provided a significant backdrop to a major film; the dramatic rolling hillsides of the rural Keighley area now stand cheek by jowl with Dalton Mills and the Worth Valley railway. Gods Own Country has already achieved international acclaim with nine awards and seven nominations including the Sundance Festival.”

This “earthy” film focuses on Johnny, played by Josh O’Connor, who is becoming overwhelmed managing his farm and tries to compensate with binge drinking and casual sex. Josh, who envies former classmates who escaped university, then hires Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu), a Romanian migrant, for the lambing season.

Mr Watkinson added: “This meeting of two opposite characters develops into an intense and passionate relationship that helps to thaw Johnny’s emotions, and the film begins to portray a tender love story.”

The screening at the Picture House on North Street is open to the public, and the doors open at 5.35pm.