WHEN you picture film festival directors being wooed by film-makers, you imagine cocktails, schmoozing and glitzy events, but when Paul Cotgrove discovered the gem that he’d pick as the opening gala film for this year, it couldn’t have been further from the red carpet.

“I found out it was filmed in Southend last summer,” says Paul, as he describes how he got his hands on Brit crime thriller, Hard Boiled Sweets, which will launch the Southend Film Festival on May 3.

“I called the film director and said I’d like to consider it for the film festival. I’d found out what the film was about and it sounded good fun.

“We kept in touch and around November the director David Hughes rang me up and said it was nearly finished, and that he and the cast and crew had enjoyed working in Southend so much. They genuinely meant that.

“January came around and Universal had picked it up. They were prepared for me to go up to London and see a preview, but David was worried that if I saw it and didn’t want to use it, it would imply to Universal it wasn’t very good.

“It was all a bit cloak and dagger. I went to his house and watched it on his computer in his spare room in Enfield on a really cold winter’s day.”

Luckily for David, Paul liked what he saw and promptly decided the gritty drama was the perfect opener for the festival.

“I came out of his spare room and said that he’d got the gig,” says Paul. “I knew what I was looking for and, of course, to have a film shown at the Southend Film Festival that’s been made in Southend to me is brilliant.

“I really enjoyed it and I would have shown it anyway, but being filmed in the town made it the perfect gala opener.”

The film follows the fates of a circle of criminals, who all have their eye on a pile of dirty cash that’s stashed at mob boss “Shrewd” Eddie’s house.

Filmed along Southend’s famous golden mile, it is director David’s homage to the great American hard-boiled crime writers like Elmore Leonard and James Ellroy. True to the tradition of crime dramas close to home, it keeps a very English tone throughout.

Its glitzy gala event at the Southend Odeon marks the beginning of four days devoted to all things film.

The fringe festival is running for even longer, with events kicking off today and running until May 12.

It’s the fourth festival of its kind, put on by the White Bus on behalf of Southend Council.

Paul has been steadily building it up over the years into the extensive, diverse programme it now is.

He says: “We got the first one off the ground in just 14 weeks.

“It’s now more like six months of solid work to put on the festival, dealing with distributors, actors and directors.

“My job now starts in October/November time when I go around film festivals and ask what they’re bringing out this year. I’m looking for films that will be of interest in Southend.

“Whether you like them or not the gangster films are always popular.”

As director of White Bus, Paul’s got his finger on the pulse when it comes to knowing what Southend audiences want to see.

The Southend-based film company not only screens archive films at Tap, in Westcliff, and arthouse films at the Palace Theatre and Park Inn Palace that may not have come to the town’s more commercial Odeon cinema, but has sourced location work for visiting directors. And it’s not all crime and grit, although they undoubtedly always go down well as big openers and crowd pullers.

There’s a whole range of genres featured throughout the programme, from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classic Swing Time, to the much acclaimed Senna – a documentary about the racing legends’ short life, children’s films including Disney classic Peter Pan, and plenty more in between.

And Paul’s top choice? “My favourite film of the festival is actually on Morris dancing.

“It’s called Way of the Morris and it’s absolutely charming, so beautifully made, it’s not poking fun at the dancing at all, it’s brilliant.

“It’s this tragic story really about this Morris dancing troupe that during the First World War, all bar one lost their lives in the Somme and no Morris dancing took place in this village until the Sixties, when this band of folk traditionalists decided to revive it.

“It’s the sort of film that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.”

Other film events include screenings of last year’s highly-acclaimed Resistance, Oscar winning A Separation, powerful Eighties fashion documentary Casuals, a singalong version of musical gangster comedy Bugsy Malone, a 50th anniversary screening of James Bond classic Dr No and the Holding – which will be introduced by its star, Leigh actress Kierston Wareing.

Southend jazzman Digby Fairweather will be presenting arguably the most famous jazz broadcast of all time, while the producer of Dr Feelgood documentary Oil City Confidential follows up his success with East End Babylon about notorious group the Cockney Rejects.

The accompanying Fringe event will involve other venues, including an all-nighter at the Railway Hotel, East 15 Acting School screening short films by students, and films at Southend Central Museum.

The main festival closes on May 7 with Lost in Italy, starring festival patron Ray Winstone, with the Fringe ending on May 12. For more information, visit www.southendfilmfestival.com What's on and where?

All events are £4, unless otherwise stated Odeon cinema, The Broadway, Southend Hard Boiled Sweets – opening gala film. May 3, 7.30pm, £12 Double-crossing, twists and murder lurk in director David Hughes’ homage to American crime writers. Filmed in Southend, it follows a bunch of bad people doing bad things for bad reasons.

Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff Pennies from Heaven May 4, 1pm Charming film that consolidated Bing Crosby’s star power and saw him croon the title number. In true odd-couple style, Bing befriends an orphaned girl and they wander through life’s incidents together.

Swing Time May 4, 3pm Classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical comedy.

Le Mans May 4, 5pm Steve McQueen’s pet project about France’s famous 24-hour car race.

Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece May 5, 11am First live action Tintin film. Considered one of the best ever.

Bugsy Malone Singalong May 5, 1pm Alan Parker’s exhuberant classic, starring Jodie Foster, is brought to life with a singalong special.

Resistance May 5, 3pm It is 1944 and in an alternate history Britain is under German occupation. In the Welsh valleys a group of farmers’ wives wake up to find their husbands vanished and a German patrol arrives. The director, producer and scriptwriter will introduce the film.

Casuals May 5, 5pm Festival premiere. A powerful and exhilarating documentary exploring the early Eighties fashion movement instigated by young football supporters known as casuals. Producer Cass Pennant will introduce.

East End Babylon May 5, 8pm From the producer of Oil City Confidential, the story of the Cockney Rejects, the area that spawned them, their infamous gigs at Canning Town’s Bridge House and how they conned their way to an EMI record deal. Introduction from music writer/DJ Daryl Easlea, director/producer Richard England and Cockney Reject Mick Geggus.

Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff Senna May 4, 8pm Award-winning documentary exploring the life of charismatic Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna.

No Orchids for Miss Blandish May 4, 1pm Lurid thriller based on book by James Hadley Chase sees rich heiress Miss Blandish kidnapped by smalltime crooks. Filled with violence and sexual intrigue, it caused controversy and sensation when first released.

The Stranger Came Home May 4, 3pm Continuing the successful British film noir theme from previous festivals, a man on a fishing trip with three pals receives a blow to the head and loses his memory. It returns three years later on the day one of his three friends is found dead.

China is Far Away May 4, 5pm UK premiere. Chinese director Liu Haiping visits Michaelangelo Antonioni, who was invited to spend five weeks shooting in China at the end of the cultural revolution. His resulting documentary, Chung Kuo, was banned, along with all the acclaimed directors’ other films. This film provides a fascinating insight into China’s cultural history.

The Salt of Life May 4, 8pm Gentle, heartwarming tale of life in the slow lane as pensioner Gianni divides his time between his working wife, teenage daughter and ageing mother. Determined to find a lover, Gianni is thwarted in the face of youth, beauty and money.

Digby Fairweather Presents May 5, 11am One of Southend’s brightest stars, Digby Fairweather introduces a famous jazz broadcast which saw giants of the post-war jazz world Henry Red Allen, Pee Wee Russell, Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Jimmy Giuffre, Thelonius Monk and Jimmy Rushing assembled in one studio. Billie Holiday, almost at the end of her career, sings Fine and Mellow.

Westcliff Cine Club visits Mr Hitchcock in Hollywood May 5, 1pm AUTHOR, critic and broadcaster John Kennedy Melling introduces a rare public screening of the film made by Hitchcock as patron of the Westcliff Cine and 35mm Club.

Sound it out May 5, 3pm Bittersweet but uplifting documentary following the decline and significance of the humble record store. Introduced by Daryl Easlea.

The Light Thief May 5, 5pm Colourful modern-day parable of good and evil set in a wind-swept valley of former Soviet state, Kyrgystan.

The Enemy May 5, 8pm UK premiere. Bosnia 1995, a small engineering squad investigates the ruins of a factory destroyed in combat and find themselves opening a Pandora’s box of surprises.

Park Inn Palace Ballroom, Pier Hill, Southend Rio May 6, 12pm Screening for winners of competition held in conjunction with Southend Town Partnership. For details, visit www.southendfilmfestival.com Peter Pan May 6, 2pm The Disney classic that never grows up.

Dr No May 6, 4pm Fiftieth anniversary screening of Bond classic, the first in the James Bond series, starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress.

Victim May 6, 6pm Festival premiere. Tyson struggles to find a way out of his violent life, when he meets country girl, Tia. He thinks he’s found it, but only if her jealous cousin, Davina, will let him go. Members of the cast and crew will introduce the screening.

The Holding May 6, 9pm Heart-pounding suspense thriller introduced by lead actress and Leigh actress, Kierston Wareing.

School for Scoundrels May 7, 11am Endearing comedy sees wimpy Ian Carmichael attempt to get one over on cad Terry-Thomas.

Southend: Home of the Stars!

May 7, 1pm Local film and cinema historian Chris Izod presents a series of film clips featuring stars who’ve lived in our town, including Peggy Mount, Frankie Howerd, Gemma Craven and even Fred Astaire.

The Laurel and Hardy Laughter Show May 7, 3pm Sons of the Desert sees the boys attending a convention against their wives’ wishes. It’s supported by Night Owls – the short on which their sketch they performed at the Southend Odeon was based – and Mickey’s Polo Team, which sees Mickey Mouse and his friends face off many of the stars of the day, including Laurel and Hardy.

Payback Season May 7, 5pm Thought-provoking drama following the fortunes of a young man who’s beaten the odds to escape his council estate and make something of his life as a professional footballer.

Lost in Italy – closing gala film May 7, 8pm UK premiere. Intriguing mystery, Filmed in Essex and Italy, where a man gets shot in an English club only to wake up in Italy. Starring festival patron Ray Winstone who’ll be at the screening (subject to availability).

Laurel and Hardy Suite, Park Inn Palace, Pier Hill, Southend British Transport Films: See Britain by Train May 6, 12pm Beautifully crafted and poetic travelogues from the Fifties and Sixties promoting train travel.

British Noir: Mask of Dust May 6, 2pm A former world class racing driver struggles to regain form and is taunted by a younger rival.

The 39 Steps May 6, 4pm Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film version of John Buchan’s espionage novel.

A Separation May 6, 6pm Winner of this year’s Oscar for best foreign language film. Set in modern day Tehran, a suspenseful and intelligent drama detailing the fractures and tensions at the heart of Iranian society.

The Eel May 6, 9pm Award-winning drama sees Tajuro rush home after an anonymous tip-off to find his wife with another man and stabs him to death. Released on parole eight years later, he starts a new life, but his past threatens to catch up.

British Noir: Cash on Demand May 7, 11am A ruthless criminal visits a small town bank manager and informs him his family are held hostage. Their ransom is the contents of the safe.

The Big Picture May 7, 1pm Paul’s apparently glamorous Parisian life is destroyed when he stabs his cheating wife’s lover to death. Taking on the dead man’s identity, he flees to isolated Yugoslavia and gets another chance at life.

Attenberg May 7, 3pm Loner Marina is repelled and fascinated by the human species, choosing to observe it through the documentaries of Sir David Attenborough and sex education lessons from her only friend, Bella. Heartwarming, honest drama.

Way of the Morris May 7, 5pm A poignant and evocative piece on the origins and impulses of Morris dancing and an attempt to understand its place within enchanted Albion.

Fringe Events Film Poster Exhibition: Southend Film Festivals Past and Present Beecroft Art Gallery, Station Road, Westcliff April 27 to June 2, free Short Films at East 15 Clifftown Studios, Nelson Street, Southend April 30, 7pm, free Showcase of international short films from the MA Filmaking programme.

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend April 30, 7.15pm, £5 Astonishing documentary on Japan’s age-old love affair with insects.

Southend Students Shorts: BED and TV Production/Screen media The Pod, South Essex College, Luker Road, Southend May 1, 6.30pm, free Works by 16 to 19 year olds on BED Media Production course and BA (Hons) Television production and Screen Media students.

Dark Star Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend May 1, 7.15pm, £4 Hippy, cabin-fevered spacemen fight against boredom in their 20-year mission to destroy unstable planets in this sly, witty and profound film.

White Bus Archive Film Nights Tap, North Road, Westcliff May 2 and 9, 7pm, free Regular Wednesday night show screening surprise material from the White Bus archives.

Art on the Railings Pier Hill, Southend May 5, 10am-4pm, free Open-air art exhibition hosting a free movie star themed art exhibition.

Railway Hotel All-Nighter The Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend May 6, 8pm, free (over 18s) Choice of programmes with rooms showing films devoted to Seventies grindhouse, David Lynch and bizarre indie films.

Short Film Competition Awards Park Inn Palace Ballroom, Pier Hill, Southend May 8, 7pm, free Come and see the winners and runners-up of the Southend Film festival Short Film Competition.

Serenity Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend May 8, 7.15pm, £4 Buffy director Joss Whedon adapts his cult TV series, Firefly, for the big screen.

Animation Films from Southend College Tap, North Road, Westcliff May 10, 7pm, free Animated items from college students.

Oneiroi Tap, North Road, Westcliff May 11, 7pm, free Two hours of the latest strange and wonderful short films and videos about dreaming and the night time by international filmmakers.

Almost Grown Cellar Cinema The Royal Hotel (basement), High Street, Southend May 12, 4pm to 8pm, free Photographer Dean Chalkley’s short film Young Souls will be shown on the hour every hour in between sessions from the Black Cat DJ collective who’ll be spinning Northern soul, R&B and ska.