THE programme for this year's Borderlines Film Festival, which opens tomorrow with a huge selection of films - 21 screenings of 19 movies in 12 venues - includes, as always, a clutch of Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winners.

The festival's opening weekend incorporates the three-day Festival of British Cinema, taking place in venues in Hay-on-Wye to celebrate the best of British cinema from the very latest films on preview to some of the earliest, from lesser known masterpieces that resonate today to special presentations from leadin critics and production talent.

True to Borderlines’ rural remit, Friday’s events for the combined festivals will be spread over a vast area of the Marches, from Oswestry in North Shropshire to Garway in south Herefordshire and from Bromyard in the east to Bishops Castle in the west.

The Festival of British Cinema brings together the best of contemporary British feature films and documentaries, including Dark Horse, a documentary about a racehorse training syndicate from the Welsh valleys which has just won the prestigious Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary at the Sundance Festival. Among the classics featured are three films that internationally renowned British director Ken Loach has chosen specially for the Festival as his biggest British cinema influences, notably Brief Encounter, which he praises for its “stoicism and quiet sacrifice.”

At Ludlow Assembly Rooms, the first half of March sees an enticing selection of Borderlines screenings, starting on Sunday with Foxcatcher, and including some of the best of world cinema. Stations of the Cross, which is screened on Wednesday and Thursday next week, won the Silver Bear at Berlin International Film Festival. An absorbing drama about Maria, who is taking her imminent confirmation very seriously and her attraction to the idea of personal sacrifice and attempts to renounce normal teenage temptations confuse and confound her. "Renews one's faith in the power of slow are movies to change the world," said the Evening Standard.

Both Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern were Oscar-nominated for their roles in Wild, the true story of an epic 1,100 mile hike made by Cheryl Strayed, showing next weekend, and on Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10, there are two chances to see Dancing in Jaffa, a documentary which sees world dance champion Pierre Dulaine fulfilling a life-long dream when he returns to Jaffa, the city of his birth to teach Jewish and Palestinian children ballroom dancing in the belief that dance can overcome hatred.

An Oscar-winning performance is delivered by J K Simmons in Whiplash, playing an unorthodox and relentless teacher at a prestigious New York conservatoire - ‘delivers the purest hit of cinematic exhilaration this season’ The Guardian.

There's classic cinema with Louis Malle's Au Revoir Les Enfants, an autobiographical story set in occupied France and centred on the friendship of two boys, one of whom is concealing a secret that will have far-reaching effects.

The final Borderlines screening is A Most Violent Year, a richly layered drama set in the freezing winter of 1981 New York. Borderlines screenings also take place in Bedstone and Hopton Castle village hall, SpArC Theatre in Bishop's Castle, Oswestry's kinokulture cinema, The Hive in Shrewsbury and Wem Town Hall. For all Borderlines screenings in Shropshire and Herefordshire see www.borderlinesfilmfestival.co.uk

Booking for all films and events at both festivals can be made in person at The Courtyard in Hereford, by calling the central box office number 01432 340555, online at the website, or by contacting individual venues directly.