THE Thurrock International Film Festival returns to the Thameside Theatre next week for its fourth year.

This year’s event will host three classic feature films all with something different for the audience, as well as 79 short films in seven categories from around the world.

The first film to be shown will be Disney’s The Little Mermaid on Saturday, October 10 at 10am.

A face-painter will be in the theatre foyer on the third floor to paint little prince and princesses faces before the film and a real mermaid will sing Part Of Your World to get the audience in the mood to party under the sea. There will also be a prize for best costume. Tickets are £1.50 for children under 12 and £3 for adults.

If it’s tension and horror you’re into then at 8pm on the same day you can relive the terror of Ridley Scott’s classic film Alien, which stars Sigourney Weaver facing off against the menacing and terrifying Xenomorph on the big screen.

Because in the Thameside Theatre, no one can hear you scream… but don’t, you’ll disturb the other audience members.

Alien will also host a costume competition. Simply dress as an Alien franchise character for your chance to win a prize. Tickets are £3.

To calm down from the terror of Alien, on Sunday, October 11 at 4pm enjoy the timeless classic, Casablanca, starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart trying to evade Nazi capture. Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be served to all audience members before the film starts. Tickets are £3.

Amongst the short films at the two-day festival will be local offerings such as Tall Dark Friend’s music video Hang With The Happiness (Dir. James Kavanagh) and in the Under 18 category Simran Shokar’s Don’t Look Back.

Tickets to each screening are £1.50 so don’t miss this chance to be moved, frightened and inspired by these amazing shorts.

To book tickets and for more info visit www.thurrockfilm.com