ROALD Dahl would have turned 100 this year which has prompted a UK-wide celebration of his work on film.

Film Hub Wales and Chapter launch a major season of film across 49 unique locations this summer including Harbour Lights Picture House, Southampton

The launch of the family-friendly film programme celebrating the world’s number one storyteller, who was born in Cardiff in 1916, coincides with the release of Entertainment One’s The BFG, in July, and culminates on Roald Dahl Day on September 13 - 100 years since Dahl’s birth.

The programme will appeal to audiences of all ages, featuring his best-loved classics like James and the Giant Peach and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. There will also be lesser-known screenplays such as the cult classic Gremlins, which was inspired by Gremlin Gus and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which will give us a chance to relive one of our scariest childhood moments with the ‘child catcher’, the character Roald Dahl added into Ian Fleming’s original story.

There are plans for interactive ‘Scratch ‘n’ Sniff’ screenings of Matilda to celebrate the film’s 20th year anniversary, to thrilling immersive cinema experiences and workshops for the family. The season also promises to cater to an adult audience, with films such as Night Digger and episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which captivated us when we really should have been in bed.

Hana Lewis of Film Hub Wales, said: “We are extremely proud to be leading the UK’s national celebration of Roald Dahl on Film and look forward to working with Film Hub South East together with our partners across all nine BFI Film Audience Network regions.

“We were all inevitably inspired by Roald Dahl as children and as we grow into adults, his stories remain with us. The season will offer a rare opportunity for parents to enjoy his films together with their children, on the big screen.

“Venues have some exceptional ideas in store to entertain audiences, from outdoor events, to creative workshops and darker tales for the grown-ups. We’ll be announcing the full listings in the coming weeks.”

John Collins, Brand Marketing Director at The Roald Dahl Literary Estate, said: "Roald Dahl had an incredible talent for creating stories and characters that not only leap off the page, but leap too onto the big screen so naturally and so memorably. We’re delighted that Film Hub Wales and Chapter are celebrating these amazing movies through Roald Dahl on Fil

Film during his centenary year."

The project is taking place with the support of the BFI (British Film Institute), which has awarded National Lottery funding, and in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Estate, which is marking the centenary with the Roald Dahl 100, a year packed full of exciting surprises and treats.

The season will involve 21 cinemas and 49 unique locations across the UK, with four in The South East, projecting a total of 263 screenings in the three-month period. Many more cinemas will get involved and benefit from resources created through the project.

To find out what’s on in your area and how to buy tickets, visit: www.filmhubwales.org/roalddahlonfilm