Family Film: The Snail and the Whale + Room on the Broom (U)

HOME is putting on a double bill of family favourites on Friday 30 October, two short films from the worlds of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It's presented as a Halloween programme, and they describe it as 'one spooky, one sweet'.

The Snail and the Whale is the sweet half: a tiny snail with big dreams of exploring the world hitches a ride on the tail of a grey-blue humpback whale, and the two travel together through caves, jungles and the deep ocean. Room on the Broom brings the spooky side, following a kind-hearted witch who invites various animals to join her on her broomstick. Along the way they run into a few challenges and form some unlikely friendships, and the story leans on kindness, inclusivity and teamwork.

Both come from the same team, so they've got that familiar Donaldson and Scheffler feel to them. The whole session is rated U and suitable for all ages, and it runs for 53 minutes, which is a handy length if you're heading out with little ones who might struggle with a full-length feature. It's at HOME in Manchester, on Tony Wilson Place, M15 4FN, starting at 13:00 on Friday 30 October.