Now in its tenth year, National Schools Film Week 2005 is taking place between October 17-21 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and from October 31 to November 4 in Scotland.

There are still nearly 100,000 places available for the free screenings at over 400 locations nationwide and NSFW, part of Film Education, has lined up some cinematic treats including several pre-release screenings of new films.

Programmes are designed for both primary and secondary schools, with a wide selection of films to suit specific year groups.

Films showing in the week include previews of some of the top autumn term releases such as Wallace and Gromit: the Curse of the Were-rabbit, Nanny McPhee, Heidi, Greyfriars Bobby, Sky High, Mad Hot Ballroom and Oliver Twist (pictured), as well as the best new world cinema films, documentary screenings and masterclasses with film-makers such as director Amma Asante (A Way of Life), Mike Leigh (Vera Drake), Richard Eyre (Stage Beauty), Gillies MacKinnon (Regeneration) and a Shakesperean masterclass at the Old Vic with its artistic director and star of The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, Kevin Spacey.

Don’t miss out - either book online at www.nsfw.org or call 0207 439 4880 for details of what is showing in your area.

* See next week’s Friday magazine for details of free TES teacher screenings of the new adaptation of Oliver Twist.

* The winner of our final luxury picnic hamper (September 2 issue) is Richard Walmsley of Bedford.