The Oxford Mail’s annual Senior Citizen’s Film Festival starts today, launching a three-day long celebration of cinema.

Now in its eighth year, the three-day long event at the Phoenix Picturehouse in Jericho, Oxford, begins with a screening of the movie The Life of Pi.

That is followed by this year’s remake of The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, and finishes in true festive style on Wednesday with the classic musical Les Miserables, starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman.

Kenny Gold, manager of The Phoenix Cinema which hosts the annual get-together, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be hosting the Oxford Mail’s Christmas Matinees. “There’s no better way of getting into the Christmas spirit than by watching fabulous films with a free mince pie and a hot beverage. “It’s a fun, friendly atmosphere that I and the whole cinema are looking forward to hosting.”

Co-sponsoring the festival for a second year are Sainsbury’s in Oxford’s Westgate Centre and Kidlington, whose donations guarantee that prizes of champagne, chocolates and gift vouchers will be raffled off each day.

For details, call Jeremy Smith on 01865 425435 or the Phoenix Picturehouse on 0871 902 5736. Tickets cannot be booked in advance. Entry is with a copy of that day’s Mail, price 65p, on sale in the foyer.