Hurray for the Birds Eye Film Festival! Every year the celebration of women film-makers gets stronger and stronger – and this year’s line-up looks superb.

It also looks like it could be the year that female directors make a historic breakthrough at the Oscars. The Hurt Locker director Katherine Bigalow looks likely to be only the fourth female director nominated for Best Director, and could will be the first to win it.

The festival, in its sixth year, offers such gems as Drew Barrymore’s debut Whip It, starring Ellen Page. Jessica Hausner’s Golden Lion nominee Lourdes and Kim Longinotto’s documentary Rough Aunties are also on the programme. 

Other highlights include a section called Blonde Crazy & Silent Films. With live music, the concept looks at blondes in early Hollywood cinema.

Ballsy comedienne Marion Davies in early silent film The Patsy is set to feature, sex goddess Marilyn Monroe will be in a special digitally restored nationwide theatrical release of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, while Sharon Stone also makes an appearance in Basic Instinct.

The early silent films, including the original Chicago, starring Phyllis Haver as a jazz-crazy killer, will be screened with specially commissioned live music by Patti Plinko. 

• Birds Eye View Film Festival, March 4-12. 
Visit www.birds-eye-view.co.uk