KEIGHLEY Arts and Film Festival is among eight projects across the district which have received cash support from a Bradford Council grants scheme.

The extravaganza – which runs from October 8 to 10 – has shared in the Large Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant Fund.

A total of £51,500 was distributed to the causes.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, the council’s executive member for healthy people and places, said: “We are delighted to announce the latest round of successful bids for funding from our grants programme.

“The Bradford district has such a vivid and diverse creative sector which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, so it’s great that we are able to support these cultural projects.”

A packed programme of events is planned for the arts and film festival.

Attractions over the weekend will range from street theatre, buskers and a lantern parade featuring mythical beasts to a tour of a hidden subterranean street and a world-record-breaking human beatboxer.

Many of the events and performances are free, although pre-booking is required for some.

On the Friday evening, Cecil Green Arts will bring giant Rombald and the Cottingley Fairies to life at Cliffe Castle – accompanied by live performances from Drum Machine.

Actor Irene Lofthouse will adopt the persona of Nancy Newbody to lead guided trips through the basement of the town’s Royal Arcade.

Live music and street theatre will take place inside and outside the Airedale Shopping Centre and around the bus station.

The weekend will also feature a specially-commissioned production, by Keighley-based theatre company Shoutdrama, plus there will be several collaborations with Ilkley Literature Festival.

And at 8pm on the Saturday, Keighley Picture House will screen the film Blinded by the Light (12a) – based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir of his life as a British teenager of Muslim descent growing-up in Luton in the 1980s.

The screening is part of Keighley Film Club’s continued support of the festival.

Blinded by the Light is directed by Gurinder Chadha, of Bhaji on the Beach and Bend it Like Beckham fame.

Before the screening, Sarfraz will be in discussion at Central Hall in Alice Street, using material from his recently-published book They. Bookings for that should be made with Ilkley Literature Festival via its website or by calling 01943 816714. There is a £5 entry charge, redeemable against a copy of Sarfraz’s book.

For more about the arts and film festival, visit facebook.com/keighleyfestival.

Further information about the council grants can be found at bradford.gov.uk/arts-and-culture/funding/arts-culture-and-heritage-grants.