Extra Cinema: Pride (15)

Theatre director Matthew Warchus, who succeeds Kevin Spacey as artistic director of the Old Vic in London next year, will need to de-clutter his awards-laden mantelpiece.

His second feature film is a barnstorming culture-clash comedy drama based on the inspirational true story of a group of gays and lesbians, who supported the miners the 1984 strike and raised thousands of pounds for communities which dared to stand up to the Thatcher government.

This uplifting story of solidarity in the face of adversity and police intimidation is an absolute joy; an unabashed, irresistible crowd-pleaser. Pride embraces and subverts stereotypes, deftly weaving together stories of personal triumph and anguish.

Pride is a life-affirming ode to tolerance, acceptance and self-belief that defiantly lives up to its title, waving a flag for home-grown filmmaking.

Performances are exemplary, ignoring a few wobbles with the Welsh accents, the characters in Pride score their points with unbridled passion and wit.