ALREADY one of the most lauded film events in the world, Bolton Film Festival has added another feather to its cap as it picked up a prestigious accolade.

Today the festival and was named among Creative England’s list of the 50 most exciting, innovative and disruptive creative companies and individuals in the nation.

The renowned CE50 list is hand picked by the organisation from nominations by regional partners.

Adrian Barber, the festival’s manager, said: “I was stunned to hear we’d been nominated for the CE50, it’s a huge award for such a young and upcoming festival.

“In previous years, festivals such as Sheffield Doc Fest and Aesthetica Film Festival have made the list, so it’s such an honour to see our name amongst such illustrious names.

“It’s got to be said that I don’t think we would have got to this point so quickly without the help of The Light Cinema and all our other partners and sponsors.”

First held in 2017, Bolton Film Festival has consistently been voted a Film Freeway “Top 100 reviewed” event from among more than 7,000 held around the world.

It was also recently voted one of the top 12 UK festivals by the magazine, Film Daily.

Festival patron, Maxine Peake, said: “Such wonderful news to hear that Bolton Film Festival has been nominated for a Creative England CE50 award.

“It’s not a surprise. Under the guiding hand of Adrian Barber, Bolton Film Festival really is a film festival to be proud of. His tireless work and impeccable taste is truly putting Bolton on the map for national and global film lovers.”

The festival is set to return to The Light Cinema in Bolton Market Place this October, and organisers say this year’s event will be “bigger and better” than ever.

Previous festivals have featured BAFTA and Oscar winning short films and entries are still open for submissions until July 4.