READING Film Theatre (RFT) mark their 50th anniversary this year and will be showing free films to celebrate.

The theatre shows a range of diverse films from British independent film makers to world cinema and a host of foreign language films.

It originally started as a volunteer group of film enthusiasts in collaboration with the University of Reading, the British Film Institute and Reading Borough Council.

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They are still a group of volunteer film enthusiasts but, other than some occasional grant funding for special projects, they are independent.

Over the year, the theatre will be holding a number of special events to celebrate including showcasing the audiences favourite films from across the decades.

The most popular three, voted by the audience, will be shown in reverse order throughout the year.

These films will be free to watch, thanks to support from the University of Reading and tickets will be available on a first come first served basis.

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RFT publicity volunteer, Bernadette Varilone, said: "We have a great deal to offer over and above the usual cinema experience with our huge screen and amazing sound quality through our state of the art Dolby surround sound.

"Our special film events invite visiting producers and directors to talk about their films.

"We recently hosted the award winning film directors Fernando Meirelles and Peter Strickland.

"Our films are a mix of light-hearted entertainment, moving and informative documentary style films, pure escapism and heart rending, true to life portrayals that enlighten and challenge our perceptions of the world.

"Come and join us for a night's entertainment."

The main screenings are on a Tuesday and Thursday evening and are shown in the University of Reading, Palmer Building.

For more information visit www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.