Spring has arrived in the capital with a vibrant and rich offer of film events specially dedicated to local audiences. A total of five film festivals are taking place in London this month with the support of Film London’s exhibition funds, serving film to suit all tastes in every corner of the city.

Kicking off the month and running for its full length, the Croydon Film Festival (1-30 April) is offering screenings almost every day at the David Lean Cinema at Croydon Clocktower plus unique local venues, including a screening of Swedish classic Pippi Longstocking in IKEA. Supported by Film London’s Outer Boroughs Pilot Fund, the inaugural Croydon Film Festival intends to be a showcase of international work, as well as a platform for emerging film-making talent from the local area. Highlights include a screening of Film London Microwave urban romance Freestyle – followed by a Q&A with the director – a free film-makers conference on Saturday 10 April and a film competition challenging those who dare to make a film in just 48 hours.

With support from the Cultural Film Exhibition Fund, Roxy Bar & Screen in Southwark is presenting a selection of weird and wonderful works in its Extraordinary Films season (4 April – 8 June). Supported by figures such as The Guardian’s film critic Peter Bradshaw and award-winning director Andrew Kötting (Offshore, Gallivant), the season will show a total of 40 titles, from classics to forgotten gems, over ten weeks. Mixing different art forms and adding a sense of spectacle to the viewing experience, the season will present specially commissioned live rescores of classic silent films, a rare screening of seven-hour long arthouse epic Sátántangó, quirky double-bills and Q&As.

Also supported by Film London through the Cultural Film Exhibition Fund is the well-established East End Film Festival (22-30 April). The festival takes over the eastern hub of the capital for over a week, to offer a crop of independent films and special events. The Opening Night Gala is the premiere of the re-mastered print of 1969s mod classic Bronco Bullfrog. The festival will also show a host of international works, UK premieres, and a special screening of Hitchcock’s early film The Lodger at Spitalfields Market.

Local audiences in north London, on the other hand, can take advantage of their own specially-curated programme of films, debates and events. Images of Black Women Film Festival (9-11 April) is a celebration of Black females in film held at the Tricycle and supported by Film London’s Black Film Exhibition Publicity Fund. A selection of films, including the UK premiere of Nirit Peled’s Say My Name (starring Erykah Badu, Estelle and Queen Latifah), performances by female lyricists, debates and Q&As form the core of the two-day festival – which will culminate in an awards ceremony.

Also benefiting from this year’s Black Film Exhibition Publicity Fund is the Happy Soul Film Festival (20-30 April). Taking place across the London boroughs of Kingston, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth, Happy Soul explores matters regarding physical and mental well-being amongst the African, Asian and Jewish communities through a season of films, arts and live music. The line-up of films include Joe Wright’s The Soloist, this year’s indie sensation Precious, and a special screening of The Colour Purple followed by a Q&A with the author of the novel, Alice Walker.

If you’re lucky enough to be local then stroll along and check out these diverse and delectable film events, otherwise, the fun is only a short tube or bus ride away. Find out more about access to film, and the various funds we run in support of this, in our Exploring Cinema section.