PURELY Belter, the new North Eastern comedy by York film-maker Mark Herman, has been chosen to open the 14th Leeds International Film Festival next Thursday.

Herman, the award-winning writer-director of Brassed Off and Little Voice, will be attending the film's English premiere that night at 7.30pm at the Leeds Odeon, along with Purely Belter's young stars, screen newcomers Chris Beattie and Greg McLane.

In familiar Herman style, Purely Belter combines comedy with pathos in the heart-warming story of two young boys who will not give up on their dream of acquiring season tickets to see their beloved Newcastle United. Their mission to raise £1,000 looks impossible: the lads are short not only on cash but good planning and common sense too, and their enterprises are not about to give Richard Branson a run for his money.

For the 98-minute film, Herman has adapted Gateshead teacher Jonathan Tulloch's book The Season Ticket - the movie's original title.

"I was attracted by its mixture of humour and tragedy," he says. "Finding the balance between these two disciplines is something which the screenwriter in me enjoys very much," says Mark. "In this story, the kids are not just kids who smash into cars and break into houses. Yes, they do break the law but they are funny characters and it was important for me to build sympathy for them without tripping over that fine line into mawkishness."

The Leeds International Film Festival, now Britain's largest regional film festival, runs from October 5 to October 19 and features British premieres, galas, cult films, European movies, a showcase for regional talent in the UK Film Week, documentaries, awards, retrospective screenings and children's cinema. For more information, go surfing on www.leedsfilm.com; for tickets, ring 0113 214 5315 or 5340.

Purely Belter (15) opens in York and nationwide on November 3.