Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne has announced that he is to become an official ambassador for the Into Film Festival.

Redmayne is best known for his award-winning role as Stephen Hawking in the recent film The Theory of Everything. He also played Marius in the film of Les Misérables, and will soon be seen on screen as Newt Scamander, in Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.  

The Into Film Festival, supported by TES, is the world’s largest events of its kind for pupils and teachers. The aim is to get 450,000 primary and secondary children watching and making films.

It already has the backing of a number of high-profile actors, and existing ambassadors include Michael Sheen and Matthew Rhys, as well as Northern Irish filmmaker Mark Cousins.

The festival, which will be held between 4 and 20 November in 520 cinemas around the country, will include preview screenings, film-making workshops and question-and-answer sessions with industry experts.

There will also be opportunities for pupils to meet and speak to people working in film, including critics, period-costume designers and special-effects engineers. All events will be accompanied by teaching resources.

Redmayne has been an active supporter of Into Film since its launch in February 2014. He has said that he has been impressed by the effect that watching films and learning about film-making can have on school pupils.

He said that it has “the power to inspire, connect and expand our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

“I hope, through being an ambassador for Into Film, I am able to help raise awareness of how film can contribute to their cultural and creative lives.”

This was echoed by Into Film chief executive Paul Reeve. “As a hugely respected artist, and with his clear love of film and genuine enthusiasm for enabling young people to engage with it, Eddie is a brilliant advocate for what we do,” he said. “We hope his involvement in Into Film will inspire young people from all corners of the UK.”