Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival Line-Up Announced

The line-up for this year's eagerly-anticipated Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival has been confirmed and there's something to suit all tastes.

Whether you like film, theatre, art or photography, there are plenty of events to choose from during WCAF16 which takes place over a four-week period from Friday 30 September to Saturday 29 October.

Now in its sixth year, the festival provides an opportunity for the people of Warrington and further afield to engage with and experience the best in contemporary art and the 2016 programme includes live performances, exhibitions, talks and tours as well as the flagship art and photography open exhibitions.

Derek Dick, outreach and engagement manager, said: "We've got some really engaging events and exhibitions taking place as part of the 2016 Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, which has built on the success of previous years.

"The festival brings together elements of film, theatre, art and photography in an eclectic mix which showcases the creative talent of local, regional, national and International Artists.

"We're also going to have live art performances and pop-up interventions by Warrington Collegiate and Edge Hill University to name a few.

"I'm really excited by what we've got planned, I hope the people of Warrington will be too!"

Among the highlights is a film screening of The Violators, the directorial debut of Warrington-born author Helen Walsh, best known for novels including The Lemon Grove, Once Upon a Time in England and Brass.

This powerful and engaging drama, which follows a teenage girl who is rehoused on a sink estate after testifying against her abusive dad, has already garnered critical acclaim.

21,000 Miles of Rail is a theatre performance by Hannah Butterfield who attempts to unpack the rules of talking on trains and test the possibilities of chance encounters with strangers, and Third Angel's 600 People, somewhere between stand-up comedy and an astrophysics lecture, asks if there are extra-terrestrials in our galaxy and explores what it means to be human.

Artist and film-maker Matt Stokes will be presenting Dance Swine Dance and These are the Days as he explores musical subcultures and the way music provides a sense of collectiveness while artist, researcher and composer Clair Le Couteur will 'remix' Warrington Museum & Art Gallery through photography and sculpture.

Maureen Banner, chair of Culture Warrington, said: "There are so many interesting and exciting events taking place as part of this year's Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival I can't wait for it to get started.

"I hope the line-up will generate a real buzz about the town and people will take this opportunity to celebrate the best in contemporary art."

The deadline for entry to the open competitions in art and photography has been extended to Friday 2 September.

For more information on the varied line-up or to enter the open competitions visit www.warringtonartsfestival.co.uk