I’m writing this on my way back from the 2017 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, and, whilst it wasn’t perhaps a vintage year, I do return with a head full of many splendid films that will undoubtedly feature large in our programme over the coming months. I leave, not for the first time, with an almost overwhelming bewilderment at the film-critical establishment and their glowing reviews for films I’d have to think twice about even screening here; and, similarly, bad reviews for films I would play in a heartbeat. Often, it feels like we’re not watching the same films! And I know they say that beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, but, sometimes… there’s just plain wrong!?! But no names no pack-drill, for t’would be wrong to speak out against films we’ve no intention of screening. We’ll let our programme do the talking…

October sees the beginning of a very busy period for us what with all the festivals we play host to during this month and next. First up is the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival, followed by Scotland Loves Anime (we have proof that it does!) and Africa in Motion. And a special mention for what might be the finest film I’ve seen this year (and on which I and nearly all film critics agree!) – Luca (I Am Love) Guadagnino’s extraordinarily good Call Me By Your Name, which tells the story of a young Italian-American boy’s sexual awakening in rural Italy in the 1980s. But don’t let that rather prosaic description put you off, come see for yourself! I’ll wager you won’t regret it…