 | | Albert Finney (l) in Millers Crossing |
The Festival will be paying tribute to some of Salford’s most famous sons. Harold Riley will be showing the seminal sixties Granada TV film, Riley’s Salford, together with a new short feature made at his studio. There will also be four films featuring Albert Finney’s greatest work, The Dresser, Miller’s Crossing, Erin Brockovich and Big Fish. Two films feature stunning performances by Sir Ben Kingsley, first up his Oscar award-winning role in Gandhi followed by Sexy Beast. | "The city and its people are an inspiration. You can always tell a Salford lad but you can't tell him 'owt." | | Christopher Eccleston |
New Dr.Who star Christopher Eccleston has also selected two of his own films for screening, Shallow Grave and Jude. He says, "I’m very proud that some of my work is being screened at the Salford Film Festival. The city and its people are an inspiration. You can always tell a Salford lad but you can't tell him 'owt." The Salford Arts and Sports Trust, of which Albert Finney is President and Harold Riley Chairman, has donated a grant towards a `peoples’ event which will offer free admission for the community to all films and workshops. Last year the Salford Film Festival drew huge audiences with its mix of heritage classics and film premieres, including the BAFTA-nominated Talking With Angels.  | | Madhouse |
This year there are premieres of five community-driven films from Salford on an array of subjects from madness to magic - Madhouse by Reel Mcr, Wishful Thinking by Looking Glass Films, Off The Rails and The Watch by RipRoar, and What Are You Waiting For by Proud and Loud Arts. North West film makers, both amateur and professional are also being given the chance to enter the Salford Film Festival Short Film Competition with a selection of all films being shown on the big screen throughout the event. Letter of support from Sir Ben Kingsley  | | Sir Ben Kingsley |
When I was tiny, riding on the upper deck of a majestic no.57 bus, I looked down at the River Irwell curving below us. Suddenly the bus tilted to the left, everyone rushing to the windows. A film crew on location... Hobson's Choice. My fellow travellers shouting and pointing. "Charles Laughton!"..."Johnny Mills!" Such thrills! On my bus route! Something in me stirred. A memory in Black and White. Have a fabulous festival. The second Salford Film Festival runs 10th,11th and 12th November 2004. | 
