The East End Film Festival runs from April 22-30

THE East End Film Festival kicks off this week with a whirlwind of new, exciting and different cinema hitting the big screens in and around the borough.
Spearheaded by Tower Hamlets Council, the festival boasts screenings of premieres, documentaries and short programmes, plus film-focussed discussions and a host of live music and street art events at more than 30 venues across the East End.
Kicking off this Thursday, April 22, the festival offers lots of things to do for free - and even the popcorn is free at Spitalfields Market at 8pm on Saturday, April 24, when it hosts the festival's free outdoor screening of the Hitchcock classic, The Lodger.
The 1927 silent thriller will be accompanied by an improvised soundtrack performed live by acclaimed soundscapers Minima. Made at Gainsborough Studios in Shoreditch, it tells the story of a mysterious lodger who is suspected of being a serial killer - making obvious references to the Jack the Ripper legend around Whitechapel and Spitalfields.
Prior to the screening, stylists from east London's award-winning boutique hair salon Hair & Jerome will style your hair for free into a 1940s Hollywood-style Hitchcockian work of art, so you can really get in the mood for the film. No appointment necessary - just pop along to Leon restaurant, Spitalfields Market from 5pm for your free session.
Also Old Spitalfields Market will host a free Give & Take - the latest recession-busting pro-recycling craze to hit the streets. It's a chance for cinephiles, budding artists and bargain hunters to swap unwanted items for free.
Day 1 on Monday, April 26 is film-related memorabilia, such as old film posters, books and magazines, videos, DVDs and soundtrack CDs. Day 2 next Tuesday is art and design, such as unwanted wall art, art prints, and old art and design books. And Day 3 on Wednesday is freestyle.
Take your unwanted items daily from 4-6pm, and then take on a first-come-first-served basis from 6-7pm - it's that easy!
The East End Film Festival runs from April 22-30 - or more details visit www.eastendfilmfestival.com.