Southend Film Festival is marking its tenth anniversary next month with a stellar line-up of 50 British-made movies, ranging from glittering oldies to groundbreaking documentaries.

The month-long festival kicks off on May 6, and culminates in a movie extravaganza at Park Inn Palace Hotel from May 25 to 28, when 36 films will be screened.

The crowning glory of this year’s festival is Lindsay Anderson’s seminal, Cannes Palm D-Or-winning movie If…, the surreal story of a revolt at a public school in which masters and prefects stood as signifiers for Britain’s establishment. To celebrate 50 years since If… was made, it will be screened for the first time in half a century in the presence of cast members David Wood, Brian Pettifer, and Richard Everett, who will answer questions afterwards.

The movie holds particular poignancy to festival director Paul Cotgrove, 58, of Hadleigh, who recalls “worshipping” the film as a kid.

He said: “If… inspired me to go into the film industry.

“I then watched all of Lindsay’s films, which are fantastic. He was an anti establishment maverick who didn’t take any nonsense. I’m hoping that by screening If…, we will inspire a new generation to fall in love with this film, and they will then search out his other work.”

Back in 1994, Mr Cotgrove had arranged to meet his childhood movie hero for a documentary he was making about his work, when Mr Anderson suffered a fatal heart attack while swimming in a lake in France.

“Sadly, I never got the chance to meet him,” explained Mr Cotgrove.

“But some of his friends asked me if I could help to empty the belongings out of his flat – he had everything there, from film festival ashtrays to letters from Orson Welles. I became the custodian of Lindsay’s belongings for six years until his estate was sorted.”

Mr Cotgrove’s film company, The White Bus, is even named after one of Mr Anderson’s films.

Other festival highlights include a screening of the 1965 Bond film Thunderball in the apt surroundings of Southend Airport’s aircraft hanger, and the Essex premiere of the documentary Iron Men about West Ham fan’s upset when their team’s ground was moved. Iron Men is narrated by Ray Winstone, who will join other VIPs at the black-tie gala opening the festival on May 24.

Basildon residents might be drawn to New Town Eutopia, a quirky documentary telling the history of Basildon, that’s narrated by Jim Broadbent.

One Man’s Madness, which closes the festival on May 28, follows the journey of Lee Jay Thompson, from small-time North London villain to multi-platinum-selling chart-topper with Madness.

For full listings and information about where to buy tickets, visit southendfilmfestival.com