Film fans wrapped up warm and braved near-freezing temperatures to watch animated films on the UK’s largest inflatable cinema screen in Bradford’s City Park.

An estimated 500 people turned up to watch spooky animation Coraline, ahead of a guest appearance by the American creators of the film at next month’s Bradford Animation Festival.

The inflatable screen, which was put up in City Park for the screening on Saturday night, is called the Air Screen and stands 50ft tall, by 25 ft wide, using a sound system usually used for outdoor rock concerts.

David Wilson, director of Bradford City Of Film, said: “I think the people who came prepared with warm blankets and flasks of hot drinks enjoyed it!”

Viewers also watched a series of animated short films on the Air Screen, which was provided by the Cambridge Film Trust.

Mr Wilson said he had contacted Cambridge Film Festival director, Tony Jones, about bringing the large screen to Bradford after Mr Jones visited a screening of the film Room At The Top in City Hall, to co-incide with the opening of City Park.

Mr Wilson revealed more plans for public screenings in City Park, which may include the return of the giant inflatable screen or a ‘water screen’ which uses projections onto a ‘screen’ made of a fine mist of water.

He said: “I would certainly like to bring back the screen.”

Mark Shapiro, of LAIKA, the creators of Coraline, will appear at Bradford Animation Festival (BAF), giving a behind-the-scenes look at the US studio’s latest feature animation, ParaNorman.

The festival runs at the National Media Museum from November 13 to 17. Tickets are available on 0844 8563797 or at baf.org.uk.