L-R UCLan screenwriting course leader Bill McCoid, Great Northern Creative Festival co-ordinator Alan Keegan, film director John Glen and Executive Dean of the College of Culture and the Creative Industries Dr Andrew Ireland.

Five-time James Bond film director John Glen spoke to a packed audience at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) on Monday night as he officially opened the annual Great Northern Creative Festival.

John, who in total worked on eight James Bond films and directed all that were made in the 1980’s, shared stories from his long and successful career in an ‘Audience with…’ style event on the first day of the annual media festival, which showcases creative student talent in media, film, photography, journalism and performance.

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The films he worked on were largely those that involved Roger Moore but he also worked with Timothy Dalton and George Lazenby.

He commented: “I think my favourite of the eight James Bond films I was involved with either as editor, second unit director and director of five is Octopussy, mainly because of its content involving trains, animals and a circus which afforded many opportunities for humour. James Bond in disguise as a clown is a good example and a nod to the Keystone Cops with the car on the railway track.

“Probably my most accomplished film was Licence to Kill, which was shot mainly in Mexico with all its accompanying problems. It is good to have the opportunity to pass on some of my experience to the budding directors of the future at UCLan.”

An Audience with John Glen, followed by a signing session of his latest book “For My Eyes Only”, is one of nearly 100 events taking place as part of the Great Northern Creative Festival at UCLan from Monday 7 – Saturday 12 November with performances, exhibitions, guest speaker events and film screenings from UCLan students, graduates and other artists from the region.

Great Northern Creative Festival co-ordinator Alan Keegan said: “The Festival has evolved from a commitment to promote and showcase the creative talent that has been developed at UCLan to also introduce to the world the fantastic students and professionals that we have working at the University and to open our doors to the City of Preston, to the North and the world beyond.

“It has attracted leading national and international talent and we are pleased to offer staff, students and guests the opportunity to share a stimulating experience of creative talent which can be viewed, evaluated and enjoyed by everyone.”

The week-long programme of events is free and open to the general public. It will finish with the Arriva Rail Festival Awards, sponsored by Arriva Rail North, on Saturday 12 November with various prizes including outstanding and lifetime achievement awards.