THE Plaza Cinema in Skipton is opening its doors to four-legged film fans for a special dog-friendly screening as part of next week’s Hinterlands International Rural Film Festival.

Dog owners can share a bucket of popcorn with their pets at the special screening of The Truffle Hunters on Saturday (May14) at 10am.

The Truffle Hunters is a moving and uplifting documentary which follows a group of Italian men in their 70s and 80s and their expertly trained, truffle-sniffing dogs. Together they scour the forests of Northern Italy looking for rare truffles, which sell for a small fortune to some of the very best restaurants in the world. It’s a glimpse into a timeless and secretive way of life with the deep companionship between man and his best friend at its heart.

The screening is part of the third annual Hinterlands Festival which takes place in Skipton from Friday, May 13 to Sunday, May 15.

The festival is produced by outdoor event creators Wild Rumpus, creators of the Just So Festival in Cheshire, and Timber Festival in the National Forest, Ashby de la Zouch.

Rowan Cannon, director of Wild Rumpus, said: ‘The Truffle Hunters will really resonate with the dog-owners of Skipton. It’s about the special bond between man and his dog and also celebrates how essential dogs are to rural communities, not only as pets but as colleagues. Nowhere knows that better than a hard-working Yorkshire town like Skipton.

“I’m really looking forward to bringing my dog Chip to the screening. It’s a heart-warming story and it’ll be so special to watch it with him by my side.”

Further highlights of the packed Hinterlands programme include Electronica band Haiku Salut performing its acclaimed contemporary soundtrack to Buster Keaton’s 1926 silent classic The General and the premiere of Soundtrack to Skipton, a new short film inspired by sound recordings of the town.

There will also be appearances from guests including actor Julie Hesmondhalgh (ITV’s Coronation Street) and Chumbawamba star turned fell runner Boff Whalley; and the sell-out evening of Syrian food and music followed by a screening of Limbo.

Hinterlands is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network, and is also made possible with funding from Arts Council England.

Soundtrack to Skipton is part of a £95,000 grant programme to fund a series of community-led activities on Skipton High Street over the next three years.

All tickets must be pre-booked in advance at www.hinterlandsfestival.org.uk, where festival goers can also see the full list of events.