University to host second Insect Film Festival

To some they are nothing but a nuisance, while for others, they simply make the skin crawl. But the world’s insects will be celebrated in all their forms with an event taking place at Plymouth University.

Bugs 2, the second Plymouth Insect Film Festival, is happening on Saturday, March 3 in the University’s Roland Levinsky building with a wide range of entertainment on offer for people of all ages.

There will be films and animations, workshops and even the chance to try some crunchy creepy crawly cuisine.

Organiser Peter Smithers, from the University’s School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, said: “The first festival last year was a big success with hundreds of families coming through the doors. I hope people will come out again this year to see some of the world’s most fascinating creatures in all their glory.”

The 2012 festival includes the screening of films including Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, and David Cronenberg’s The Fly, starring Jeff Goldblum.

There will also be two short family films, Miniscule and Small Talk Diaries, and a documentary, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo, which will conclude with a live Skype chat from New York with director Jessica Oreck.

As well as the films, there are exhibits and workshops looking at the science of insects, with Plymouth City Museum, Dartmoor Zoo, the British Science Association and the Immersive Vision Theatre all taking stalls.

Celebrity chef Peter Gorton will be cooking up some tasty insect treats in his Ento Cafe, while youngsters will be able to create their own animations.

Mr Smithers said: “I have always been fascinated by both insects and films, and last year hundreds of people came through the doors. The festival is about celebrating the fact insects can be curious, fun and terrifying all at the same time.

“The idea of having a talk before each film is to set it in context, so it enables to viewer to connect with the natural world from a constructive viewpoint. The insects in our films are humorous, heroic characters and I hope that may help people to overcome their fears.”

Bugs 2 starts at 11am on Saturday, March 3, with events happening throughout the day. For more details, visit www.peninsula-arts.co.uk and click on the Festivals link. Tickets are also available from the Box Office within the Peninsula Arts Gallery, in Plymouth University’s Roland Levinsky Building.