A HIGHLY-rated director is to appear at a North-East film festival.

Mark Cousins will take part in 2010’s Northern Lights Film Festival (NLFF), which runs from March 20 to 28.

Mr Cousins will introduce his film The First Movie, a documentary filmed in Iraq, and host a question and answer session, at the Gala Theatre, in Durham.

He said: "I’m looking forward to NLFF, which has a dynamic and innovative programme.

"As well as presenting the film, which will hopefully remind viewers about what the world and its children have to offer, the question and answer session should create interesting debate.

"I’ll be speaking about cinema, passion and how we are all ageless inside."

Lisa Laws, programme director for the NLFF, said: "Having Mark Cousins join us is an absolute thrill and for most people the chance to meet him is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"What we love about Mark’s work is that he is a passionate advocate of the power of film to transform our understanding of the world and he looks a things from a very different perspective, often giving viewers a real jolt. He’s what the festival is all about."

Mark Cousins will introduce The First Movie at the Gala Theatre on Sunday, March 21, at 3pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, £8 for concessions. To book, call 0191-332-4041.

For more information on the NLFF, which takes place across Newcastle and Durham, visit nlff.co.uk