BORDERLINES Film Festival is back on March 24, offering 120 screenings of 40 films at 22 cinemas in 10 days.

Three new rural venues have joined up (Brilley, Clun and Clungunford) and three outlying arts centres are on board (Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Old Market House in Shrewsbury and the Conquest Theatre, Bromyard) for a fourth festival that promises to match its predecessors.

Loss of £24,000 European funding was covered by new funding packages from Screen West Midlands, the Arts Council and Herefordshire Council.

Corporate sponsorship has also eased the way, with Peter Williamson of Wyevale putting up cash.

"It's a transitional year - we're a new company and it's great that more people have wanted to get involved," said Borderlines director David Gillam.

New for this year is the chance to win a golden ticket to the festival (see www.borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk), a couple of pre-releases and a second chance for people to see Wartime Secrets - a film of local archive interest.

Programme-wise it's the familiar combination of films that you wouldn't otherwise get the chance to see, alongside some heavyweight sellers (Mrs Henderson Presents/Brokeback Mountain/North County).

Opening this year's festival, Andrew Grieve - director of On The Black Hill - will be handling a Q&A session at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, while Michael Winterbottom's A Cock and Bull Story featuring Steve Coogan opens the show at the principal venue, Hereford Courtyard.

The festival would like to find everyone who worked on the film in 1988, and anyone who may be interested should contact 01547 540159.

"On The Black Hill is one of the most beautiful films to be made in this country in the last 50 years," David said.

"I'm responding to popular demand in featuring it - something which I've held off on in the past, for fear it's too obvious."

Author Bruce Chatwin's tale of the twins brought up on a Welsh hill farm is poignant for many people.

This year's full programme will be announced shortly; to request a programme, visit www.borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk