AN INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed film director will be coming to the Electric Palace next month for a four day festival.

Mike Leigh, BAFTA award-winning director of 'Secrets & Lies' and 'Vera Drake', will be in Bridport to celebrate his collaboration with local composer, Andrew Dickson.

From Thursday, February 21, the Electric Palace will be showing the six films directed by Mike Leigh for which Andrew Dickson composed the original music.

Each day of the festival, from February 21 to 24, will end with a Q&A with both director and composer, with Leigh's latest masterpiece, 'Peterloo', being shown on the last day.

Leigh's portfolio of awards include four BAFTAs, a Golden Lion at the 2004 Venice Film Festival and Palme D'or at the 1996 Canes Film Festival for 'Secrets and Lies' and 'Vera Drake' as well as best director at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival for 'Naked'.

Andrew Dickson was named European Composer of the Year at the 1989 European Film Awards and awarded 'best film' at The Anthony Asquith Awards for 'High Hopes' with 'Secrets and Lies' being named the American Society of Composers and Publishers best film.

Mr Dickson said: "It is really great to have the opportunity to show all the films on which I worked with Mike Leigh, especially that they are being screened at the Electric Palace in Bridport - the best performance space in the west.

"Over the last 50 years, working in theatre, TV and film, my collaborations with Mike have been the most exacting, yet the most rewarding creative adventures i have been lucky enough to be a part of. And apart from keeping the family in cornflakes - thus enabling me to do much more underpaid community work - Mike has become a really good friend.

"It was a huge privilege to work so closely with one of the greats of British film and i look forward to working with him again at this exciting and unique film festival."

Susan Warren, manager at Bridport Electric Palace, said: "Since my brother Alasdair and I took over the Electric Palace four years ago, I have dreamt of bringing a film festival, based on one director's work, to Bridport.

"When a giant of British film-making like Mike and the composer of six of his films, Andrew Dickson, offer to support an independent cinema in west Dorset, it is extremely exciting.

"I think we have something for everyone - the hard core Mike Leigh fans, the curious and the people who want to indulge themselves in fantastic film."

For more information, tickets and festival programme, visit www.electricpalace.org.uk