A pioneering film festival is being launched on Monday at the Burton Taylor Studio in Gloucester Green, Oxford.

The Oxford Muslim Film Festival has been organised by the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (Meco) with the goal of bringing the best cinema from the Islamic world to the British public.

Following the screening of each film, there will be an open discussion of the cinematic and social issues raised. Dr Taj Hargey, chairman of Meco, says: "From the films selected, you will notice a wide range of subjects and countries, which gives the public a flavour of the cinematic focus in the world of Islam.

"We believe that films are a wonderful way to foster greater understanding in a cosmopolitan city like Oxford."

The festival kicks off on Monday at 5pm with Kandahar (2002), a story about a young refugee from Afghanistan living in Canada who tries to return home in order to save her sister.

This is followed on Tuesday by Abouna (2002) at 5pm and Khuda Kay Liye (2007) at 8pm. Wednesday sees the screening of Osama (2003) at 5pm and Paradise Now (2005) at 8pm. On Thursday, it's Le Grande Voyage (2004) and Grbavica (2005), and Friday, Mutluluk (2007) and Rana's Wedding (2003). The festival closes on Saturday with Yasmin (2004) at 8pm.

For further information, call the box office on 01865 305305.