This year’s Oxford Mail senior citizen film festival got off to a flying start yesterday when its screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel played to a sell-out audience.

Entertainments editor Jeremy Smith said: “What a great start. It was a freezing cold day but everyone soon got into the spirit, and thanks to the support of Sainsbury’s Kidlington and Westgate, some of our movie-goers also went home with bottles of champagne, tins of chocolates and two Sainsbury’s gift vouchers worth £25 each.”

Matt Taylor, manager of the Phoenix Picturehouse cinema in Walton Street, Oxford, which traditionally hosts the festival added: “It was fantastic – and I think the free teas, coffees and mince pies jollied everyone along too.”

Today’s special screening at 11am is the romantic comedy Salmon Fishing in The Yemen starring Ewan MacGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas.

From the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire, it’s a tale of vision, love and... fish.

All films start at 11am and your ticket is simply a copy of that day’s Oxford Mail – but don’t worry if you forget to take your copy along as they’ll be on sale in the foyer.

  • For further information, call the Phoenix cinema on 01865 316570 or Jeremy at the Oxford Mail on 01865 425435.