From its small beginnings, Purbeck Film Festival has evolved over the last 20 years to embrace more than 30 venues and 70 films.

Marking two decades since the inaugural screening in 1996, the anniversary year looks set to be rather a special one, as Dame Maggie Smith takes part in two question and answer sessions.

The festival launches in style with a powerful opening weekend, beginning with Our Little Sister at a prestigious gala evening on Friday, October 14 at Wareham’s vintage cinema, The Rex.

The Gala is attended by a guest list of dignitaries who will be greeted by sponsor Koh Thai Tapas.

The film is an enchanting portrayal of family life as three Japanese sisters gradually embrace their unknown fourth sister.

A wonderfully seductive and controlled film which the general public will also have a chance to see on Thursday, October 13 at The Rex.

Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 will bring a first for the festival: two special events with world famous film and theatre star Dame Maggie Smith who has bestowed her time over the weekend and agreed to two question and answer sessions.

Over the course of the festival six of Dame Maggie’s films, starting with the legendary Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Gosford Park which will be screened in the grounds of the picturesque Harry Warren House in Studland.

The event, which runs until October 29, will see films screened in various venues throughout the region, including village halls, pubs, restaurants, hotels, arts centres in castles and importantly the Rex Cinema, Wareham, Lighthouse in Poole and Durlston Castle in Swanage.

Organisers of the festival say the aim is to bring films to areas of rural Dorset ill served by access to cinemas, often in the form of memorable community events such as the outdoor screenings at Corfe Castle and on Studland Beach.

For a full line-up visit http://purbeckfilm.com/

Here are some of the highlights:

A Hologram for the King starring Tom Hanks will be screened at Bloxworth Village Hall on October 21 at 7.30pm. 

Noel Coward's classic Brief Encounter is being shown at The Rex on October 22 at 2.15pm. 

Romantic drama Brooklyn featuring Saoirse Ronan comes to West Lulworth Village Hall on Wednesday, October 19 at 7.30pm

Meryl Streep stars as Florence Foster Jenkins which is being shown at not one but three different venues. You can see it at The Rex on Wednesday October 19 at 11.15am, Briantspuddle Village Hall on Sunday, October 23 at 2.45pm and Hamworthy Library on Friday, October 28 at 7.30pm. 

Spanish drama Julieta is on at The Lighthouse in Poole on Wednesday, October 26 at 8pm

Oscar nominated Palestinian drama Omar is shown at The Rex on Tuesday, October 18 at 7.15pm

Maggie Smith, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins star in Quartet which is shown at The Rex on Tuesday, October 25 at 6.45pm.

Irish musical comedy-drama Sing Street about a schoolboy who forms a band to impress a girl is appearing at Lighthouse on Friday, October 21 at 5.45pm and The Rex on Saturday, October 29 at 8.15pm. 

Victoria, a film shot in a single take, tells the story of a Spanish girl who moves to Berlin and is recruited as a getaway driver for a bank robbery. It's being shown at The Rex on Saturday, October 22 at 8.15pm. 

Michael Moore's Where to Invade Next is screened at Durlston Castle on Tuesday, October 18 at 7.30pm. 

Danny Boyle's cult classic Trainspotting is at the Black Swan Inn on Tuesday, October 25 at 6.30pm.

Prepare to go back to the 80s when Top Gun is shown at The Kings Arms in Stoborough on Sunday, October 23 at 6pm.