Canary Wharf Film Festival has announced its 2009 programme with a focus on budding filmmakers going where many film festivals dare to tread.

The festivals exciting programme also asks the public to Shoot Canary Wharf and a new commission provides an incredibly moving and insightful look into London's Docklands and Waterways of yesteryear.

Canary Wharf Film Festival 2009 (CWFF 09) takes centre stage this September with an offering unlike any other festival this year. CWFF's standout programmes include Next Generation, Nearby: East End Docks and Green Sundays which all give something back to London's East End and are totally free!

Young filmmakers will also be given the opportunity to pitch their film idea to a panel of experts for the chance to win an invaluable training course at the Central Film School

The Next Generation Programme, with support from the Canary Wharf Group, is providing aspiring filmmakers the opportunity of a life time as part of the festival's aim to give up and coming filmmakers a helping hand to set them on their way. CWFF have been running free filmmaking workshops – in collaboration with Chocolate Films – throughout the summer for East London students interested in learning about the filmmaking process, teaching skills from storyboarding right through to the editing process, and their final cuts will be featured at the festival.

Young filmmakers will also be given the opportunity to pitch their film idea to a panel of experts for the chance to win an invaluable training course at the Central Film School. Pitchers will receive crucial tips to equip them with the tools need to successfully pitch ideas in the future. Plus local East End boy and director of the British hit Shifty, Eran Creevy, will be talking to festival goers about his experiences in the film industry, how he climbed the film ladder and what it was like working with Asher D and brands like Nike.

Olivia Bellas, Festival Director for CWFF 09 comments on this year's free programming: “The shorts featuring at this year's festival are some of the best we've ever had; the quality of films presented by the film makers shows an incredible depth and range of movie talent.

The shorts featuring at this year's festival are some of the best we've ever had

“Our ‘Nearby: East End Docks' programme takes an outstanding, unique and insightful look into the history of a fascinating area of London and we're privileged to be screening classic footage from the Port of London Authority's archive.”

Completing CWFF 09's programme is the CWFF 09 Big Film Quiz, Between the Eyes, London Living, Shoot Canary Wharf, and the return of the Golden Canary Awards Show, recognising the festivals standout film makers in front of the industries finest.

CWFF 09 runs from 3-7 September, 2009, with films being shown at a wide range of locations, including Cineworld West India Quay, Museum in Docklands and the East Wintergarden. The festival – which is being supported by the Canary Wharf Group plc and Film London – will show the best quality in short film; the most colourful animations, hilarious comedies, intriguing documentaries, and gripping dramas.

Tickets can be booked at www.cineworld.co.uk