A NUMBER of talks will be held in the lead-up to the b-side festival on Portland.

The festival returns to the isle between September 10 and September 18.

The programme of talks will be kicked off by underwater film maker and artist Emma Critchley.

The free event will take place at Outpost, Fortuneswell, on May 31, starting at 7pm.

Emma, one of b-side's commissioned artists, will be talking about her current projects and the development of her work.

Her underwater work has enabled her to explore waters across the globe, with recent artist residencies in New York, Barbados and Singapore.

Emma's current film installation will visit Leeds Central Library, the Southbank Centre and the BALTIC centre for contemporary art this summer.

Her work explores the link between the human body and the ocean. Emma is a qualified HSE commercial diver and is planning to film wrecks off Portland for b-side.

Emma will be exploring the sound of Portland's waters and how it affects man's relationship with the surrounding environment.

There is a limited capacity of around 25 people at Outpost. Those interested in attending the talk should email molly@b-side.org.uk or call 01305 568044.