An annual film festival will open with a European premiere.

"The opening night of the Keswick Film Festival is always something special," said director Ian Payne. "But for February 29, special does not begin to cover it!"

After a world premiere in New York, Cumbrian brothers Michael and David Groome are bringing their feature film Between the Lights to Keswick.

"We are thrilled to be bringing the film home," said Michael. He and David set up their Creative-England-supported production company Laal Blue Dot after they both worked for many years in the film industry.

"Described as a romantic drama with a liberal dose of the supernatural, Between the Lights is set within the ancient walls of York and the stunning natural beauty of the Lake District," said Ian.

"It will be the perfect opening to a great weekend of film.

"The rest of the programme is shaping up well, with programmer David Miller working his magic once again, to bring some incredible films from around the world to Keswick."

Michael and David’s short films have been screened at the Alhambra before, to great acclaim.

"Between the Lights looks like the perfect film for Keswick, so much so that we will probably need to screen it more than once over the weekend," said Ian.

Tickets and weekend passes will go on sale early in the New Year.

Keswick Film festival runs from February 29 to March 3 at The Alhambra Cinema, Theatre by the Lake and Rheged Centre, Penrith.

Full details of the programme will appear on www.keswickfilmfestival.org once bookings have been confirmed.