FANS of arthouse and foreign language films are in for a treat as two of the area's cinemas launch new ventures this month.

The Brewery cinema, in Kendal, starts showing a series of non-mainstream movies later this month, while a new Sunday film club gets off the ground at Zeffirellis cinema, Ambleside.

All the films will be shown at Screen 3, which is being renamed The Academy to reflect the change of focus.

The Brewery's two 'double decker' cinemas will continue to screen the latest blockbusters.

The Brewery is also starting a monthly film appreciation group, open to non-members, which will give a rare airing of classic films on the big screen.

It kicks off with director Jean-Luc Godard's 1959 film Breathless on January 22, followed by the Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall classic The Big Sleep on February 28.

Tim Young, film and education officer from the Dukes Playhouse at Lancaster, will give a pre-screening lecture.

Brewery film officer Lou George said 17 films, including Chinese, Spanish and French movies, were lined up for the Academy screen during January and February.

Zeffirellis plans to show some lesser-known cinematic gems from around the world in its state-of-the-art screen every Sunday, starting on January 7 with the critically acclaimed Dancer In The Dark starring Bjork.

It will be followed by La Veuve De Saint Pierre on January 14; Une Liaison Pornographique on January 21; and Show Me Love on January 28.

Film club membership costs £5 a year.