A LITTLE touch of movie magic is just the ticket for the city’s over 60s as the Oxford Mail/Phoenix Picturehouse’s three-day Christmas festival of feel-good films kicks off next Moday.

The annual Merry Christmas Matinees event is designed to give Oxford’s senior citizens an early yuletide treat – and all for just the cost of your favourite local paper.

For the fourth year in a row there will be free hot drinks and mince pies for every cinema-goer, with each film being screened at 11am, so no-one has to worry about travelling to or from the cinema in the dark.

Suzy Sheriff, manager of the Phoenix Picturehouse, in Walton Street, which is co-hosting the festival, said the event was a great chance to get into the festive spirit: “We’ve been holding this festival for four years now and everyone always enjoys them,” she said.

“There’s a really great atmosphere, and our three films this year are perfect little Christmas treats."

Jeremy Smith, entertainments editor at the Oxford Mail, agrees.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, this event kicks off the Christmas season. The staff at the Phoenix always make everyone feel truly welcome and special. It’s friendly and fun and should put everyone in a festive mood.”

For those looking forward to attending, your ticket is simply an edition of that day’s Oxford Mail, which you can also buy on the door for 40p.

The mini festival kicks off on Monday morning at 11am with a screening of the classic Christmas favourite ‘The Apartment’, starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley Maclaine and Fred MacMurray. Poignant, romantic and laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a wonderfully festive treat.

On Tuesday, again at 11am, the Phoenix will be screening ‘Coco Before Chanel’, with Audrey Tatou starring as iconic French fashion designer Coco Chanel. Stunning, sumptuous and elegantly moving. And on Wednesday, to close the festival, the cinema will be screening ‘Made In Dagenham’, this year’s surprise hit, which is an energetic account of how in 1968, a group of women car workers changed the work place forever. Funny and evocative, this is a cracker of a movie.

So why not treat yourself and come along? We can’t wait to see you. For more information, call the Phoenix cinema on 01865 316570.