A look ahead at some of the film highlights coming up in early 2017 at Watershed. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, look forward to a rich year in cinema and share the films that they are looking forward to seeing on the big screen at the start of 2017.

This months podcast reflects on the year in cinema at Watershed and revisits some of the standout films of 2016. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, pick the cream of the crop in independent and world cinema for 2016 and select their top 5 films of the year.

A round up of some of the fantastic films coming to Watershed over the next three months. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, discuss film highlights from the recent Toronto and London Film Festival and how their faith in quality world and independent cinema has been restored.

Highlights and insights into Watershed's two-month long season Black Star, celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, in conversation with co-curators for the season Come the Revolution, on the meaning and films that celebrate black acting talent.

September at Watershed sees the arrival of Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, looks forward to the festival and to discovering some of the most exciting new films being made. He also discusses how short films are not just rites of passage to feature films, but perfectly formed pieces of creativity which work on their own terms.

August at Watershed celebrates the films of Roald Dahl. In this month's podcast Roseanna Dias, Watershed's Engagement Projects Coordinator and Sally Griffith, Roald Dahl On Film programmer, discuss the enduring appeal of Roald Dahl to audiences young and old, and to filmmakers – along with highlights of the films and events at both Watershed and Chapter in Cardiff.

In anticipation of July's Cinema Rediscovered festival at Watershed, which celebrates classic and contemporary films back on the big screen, this month's podcast discusses some of the highlights from the festival and explores what it is that makes cinema going so unique. Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and writer, broadcaster and critic Tara Judah share what it is that they find so beguiling about cinema and which films in particular they are looking forward to seeing back on the big screen.

Observations and reflections from the Cannes Film Festival 2016 by Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove. Mark comments that 2016 was a vintage year for Cannes and discusses how melodrama is back, films exploring the moral maze, the cinema of dissent; and poetic visions of the world through new, surprising, urgent and moving cinema.

This month Watershed screens a season of films exploring the work of influential composer and director John Carpenter. Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discusses the historic links between music and film from the early days of cinema, via Psycho and Jaws to the era defining and groundbreaking scores of John Carpenter.

Screening at Watershed this month is unforgettable Holocaust drama Son of Saul. Watershed's Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discusses the film and the morality of the creative choices inherent in making films that portray human atrocities.