Film fans are in for a treat as the 2017 Norwich Film Festival kicks off tomorrow. Arts correspondent Emma Knights looks at 10 highlights.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Film Festival 2017. Catherine directed by Brit Raes, Image: supplied by Norwich Film FestivalNorwich Film Festival 2017. Catherine directed by Brit Raes, Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival (Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival)

Lights, camera, action! Filmmaking is taking centre stage this month as the 2017 Norwich Film Festival gets under way.

The festival - now in its seventh year - is the most ambitious yet and starts tomorrow night with an In Conversation event with Michael Palin and a screening of his 1984 film A Private Function.

During the rest of the festival a unique mix of 95 short films will be showcased alongside four more feature films.

'It is a really diverse mix and a chance to see films you would not normally get to see,' said NNF co-director Craig Higgins.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Film Festival 2017 - Butterfly Kisses. Photo: supplied by Norwich Film FestivalNorwich Film Festival 2017 - Butterfly Kisses. Photo: supplied by Norwich Film Festival (Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival)

'There is everything from comedy to thriller to horror and it's a great opportunity to support independent films, plus you can listen to talks about filmmaking which look at everything from sound to screenwriting.'

Below are 10 highlights:

• In Conversation with Michael Palin and screening of A Private Function - November 9, 7.30pm, Open, sold out.

Actor, writer and globetrotter Michael Palin is doing a Q&A following a screening of 1984 British comedy A Private Function in which he starred alongside Dame Maggie Smith.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Film Festival 2017. Black Road directed by Tim Fywell. Image: supplied by Norwich Film FestivalNorwich Film Festival 2017. Black Road directed by Tim Fywell. Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival (Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival)

• Family Screening: Box of Delights 1 - November 11, 1.30pm, John Hurt Centre, Cinema City.

A programme for four to seven-year-olds featuring short films from the British Animation Awards. There is also a Box of Delights 2 at 3pm with films for eight to 12-year-olds.

• Women in Film: Directors - November 15, 7.30pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

Short films in this event celebrating female directors include Chloe Wick's The Wyrd which looks at one woman's impossible sacrifice in a 7th century pagan community and Brit Raes' Catherine about a woman whose cat is her life.

Eastern Daily Press: Filmmaker Rob Whitworth has created a new short film for Norwich Cathedral called Norwich...a story. Pictured is a scene from the film. Image: Rob WhitworthFilmmaker Rob Whitworth has created a new short film for Norwich Cathedral called Norwich...a story. Pictured is a scene from the film. Image: Rob Whitworth (Image: Rob Whitworth)

• Making Movies Sound Great with BAFTA winner Eddy Joseph - November 17, 11am, The Auditorium at The Forum.

Double BAFTA Award-winning sound editor Eddy Joseph will kick off NFF's day of industry talks. His film credits include Casino Royale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone.

• In Conversation with Jane Horrocks - November 18, 12.45pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

The BAFTA, Golden Globe and Olivier Award-nominated actress will share highlights of her work on the big and small screen. Well known for playing Bubble in the TV sitcom Absolutely Fabulous and later appearing in the 2016 movie of the show, her other film credits include The Witches, Little Voice and Sunshine on Leith.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Film Festival 2017 - The Knackerman. Photo: supplied by Norwich Film FestivalNorwich Film Festival 2017 - The Knackerman. Photo: supplied by Norwich Film Festival (Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival)

• Feature film: Butterfly Kisses - November 18, 5pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

Butterfly Kisses looks at a day in the life of three teenagers as they each battle with their own demons. The film won an award at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival. Director Rafael Kapelinski will take part in a Q&A.

• The Saturday Night Pic 'n' Mix - November 18, 8pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

An eclectic mix ranging from drama to thriller to comedy. Among the films is Black Road, about the relationship between two strangers, starring former Eastenders actress Michelle Collins and directed by Tim Fywell.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Film Festival 2017. Brakes directed by Mercedes Grower. Image: supplied by Norwich Film FestivalNorwich Film Festival 2017. Brakes directed by Mercedes Grower. Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival (Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival)

• The East Collection Short Screening - November 19, 1pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

This collection features films that were either made in East Anglia or by an East Anglian filmmaker. Among them is Norwich...A Story, a film by Rob Whitworth taking viewers on a unique journey through Norwich Cathedral, and Tom Shrapnel's The Knackerman which is described as a contemporary Western set in the heart of rural East Anglia.

• Feature film: Brakes - November 19, 5pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

Decribed as a rock 'n' roll romantic comedy and an anti-date movie, Mercedes Grower's film follows nine couples' tumultuous stories.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Film Festival 2017. A Love Story directed by Anushka Naanayakkara. Image: supplied by Norwich Film FestivalNorwich Film Festival 2017. A Love Story directed by Anushka Naanayakkara. Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival (Image: supplied by Norwich Film Festival)

• BAFTA Shorts Tour 2017 - November 19, 7.30pm, The Auditorium at The Forum.

This year's selection of short films that impressed BAFTA judges includes Jac Clinch's The Alan Dimension, about a man who can foresee the fate of mankind, and Anushka Kishani Naanayakkara's A Love Story, a powerful tale about love faced with darkness.

The festival runs until November 19. For more about all NFF events, including ticket prices and how to book, visit www.norwichfilmfestival.co.uk