ORGANISERS of this year's Wells Festival of Film are delighted with the success of the event.

Hundreds of people attended seven screenings over three days at the third annual festival.

"The festival has been a great success," said Sally Cooper, proprietor of Wells Film Centre.

"We can only build on the experience of the three we have done to make next year's even better."

The theme of this year's event was musicals, with the highlight being the outdoor screening of The Greatest Showman to a full audience of 400 at The Bishop's Palace.

"With people from all over the country and abroad coming it was truly an international event," said Sally. "When tickets went on sale they were all snapped up in just over a week.

"Wookey Hole Circus did us proud welcoming the audience and entertaining the crowd before the film."

There were free workshops with Wookey Hole Circus all day on the Saturday at The Bishop's Palace, while Wells Walking Tours did a Hot Fuzz tour.

Other highlights were a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a fancy dress competition, a screening of the live broadcast of The Messiah from the Bristol Old Vic, with local youngster Cordelia singing two pieces live in the screen before the film and doing a Q&A about how she got the part.

There was also an advance screening of the family film Sherlock Gnomes featuring music by Elton John, the classic hit 1955 film There's No Business Like Show Business, and the original Mary Poppins, ready for Mary Poppins Returns, coming this Christmas.

On Sunday the festival concluded with West Side Story at Cedars Hall, with guest broadcaster Edward Seckerson giving a fascinating pre-screening talk, Bernstein Remembered, about the film and Bernstein's life.

"Thanks to all our partners: Wookey Hole, Swan Hotel, Cedars Hall, Wells Voice, and The Bishop's Palace," said Sally.

"The fourth festival will take place from Friday, April 26, to Sunday, April 28, 2019. We are looking for more venues next year and more partners, so if anyone would like to get involved with us helping or sponsoring we would be pleased to hear from them.

"Finally, thank you to all our customers for their support, without whom there would be no festival."

• Picture: Sally Cooper and family help welcome people to The Bishop's Palace