Anger at tobacco sponsor for festival

A TOBACCO firm is among the sponsors of the Henley International Film Festival.
Imperial Tobacco’s backing of next year’s event brought a strong reaction from town councillors at Tuesday’s meeting of the town and community committee.
Councillor David Nimmo-Smith said: “There’s no way that I am going to subscribe to any tobacco advertising being endorsed by this town council — I want that made clear.”
Councillor Laura Pye agreed, saying that it would be hypocritical to support tobacco sponsorship considering the council’s complaints about cigarette butts littering the town. The committee agreed to write a letter to the event organisers making its concerns clear about tobacco sponsorship on banners during the festival. It said it would insist on removing such banners or posters from council property.
A meeting was held on October 7 to discuss the festival, where it was announced that Stephen Fry would attend the event over two days to give talks on the media. 
The festival will take place from May 25 to 29. The film submissions process has been opened, with 80 films to be shortlisted to 40.