Keighley arts and film festival is back

But like most events, restrictions surrounding coronavirus mean it is taking on a different look.

Keighley Arts and Film Festival: Intimate 2020, which begins on Monday (Oct 5), is being staged online.

However there is no shortage of performances and material to cater for all tastes.

“The festival last year was an incredible event,” says artist and producer, Ann Rutherford.

“Over 5,000 people attended – not bad for a first year!

“But of course everything has changed in 2020.

“We have received funding for – and created – digital content for everyone to enjoy.

“From the homes of our creators to yours, there is something for everyone.

“There are poems and music covers and mysterious tales along with a round-up of the best of the River Aire Ten Minute Awards – the film part of our arts festival.”

The material will be accessible on the Keighley Creative website, at keighleycreative.org/festival, from Monday.

Performers include Blue Crib Cat – singer/songwriter Rose Wheeler and multi-talented musician Bryan Diggle.

People can listen to the duo’s version of Cars, by Gary Numan.

The pair have also created a ‘lockdown lament’, taking a humourous look at the things which occupy people’s minds when they have time on their hands.

Their other offerings include a remake of Coldplay’s Clocks and a cover of Shallow, by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

Nabeela Ahmed, who is among the leading lights of the growing ‘Spoken Word’ community in Keighley, has created four sets of poems – based on ‘isms’, coronavirus, childhood and love.

Nabeela, who has presented her works across many northern towns, reads in three languages – Urdu, English and her native Pahari.

Sue Dyde is presenting four ‘Murky Tales of Keighley Folk’, that she has penned.

The first centres on Rodney, who seems to have all he needs materially after a lowly start in life yet is plagued by a soul not at ease.

In the next, Mrs Thewlett takes her class of children to Keighley Library, where she divulges snippets of fascinating information from the town’s past.

Teresa’s Murky Tale is a tragic story of deception with a dark conclusion, yet is told with humour.

And the final tale focuses on the plight of Annie.

Completing the festival is a round-up of films from the The River Aire Ten Minute Awards.

They include Bring him Home, by Luke Suri; Wings, by Casey McDonald; Mr Indifferent, by Aryasb Feiz, and Yorkshire Day, by Louise Rose.