ARGUABLY the most talked-about British film of the past year will be screened across various Cumbrian venues this January and February.

I, Daniel Blake received many plaudits on its release, picking up a number of prestigious awards, as well as prompting political debate.

The Ken Loach-directed film centres around a 59-year-old joiner from Newcastle. Now, for the first time ever, he needs help from the State.

He crosses paths with a single mother Katie and her two young children, Daisy and Dylan. Katie’s only chance to escape a one-roomed homeless hostel in London has been to accept a flat in a city she doesn’t know, some 300 miles away.

Daniel and Katie find themselves in no-man’s land, caught on the barbed wire of welfare bureaucracy as played out against the rhetoric of "striver and skiver" in modern day Britain.

A number of Cumbrian venues have special screenings of I, Daniel Blake over the coming weeks.

On Thursday January 12 there are two screenings: The Beggar's Theatre, in Millom, will be showing the film from 7pm; and in Ulverston, the Roxy Film Club have made the screening part of their annual programme, and welcome members and non-members to join them from 8pm.

Friday 13 sees Barrow and Furness Community Campaigns present a screening as a fundraiser for Barrow Community Kitchen. It shows at both 1pm and 7.30pm at The Forum, and there is a chance to meet members of the Community Kitchen afterwards to find out more.

In North Cumbria, Tullie House museum's Monday Alternative Film Season gets under way with I, Daniel Blake on January 16, at 7.45pm, with Labour Carlisle hosting its screening at Harraby Theatre on Friday 20, at 7.30pm.

Burgh By Sands Village Hall's film club hosts two screenings on Wednesday January 25 - at 2.30pm and 7.30pm - with Penrith's Old Fire Station screening it on Thursday January 26, from 7.30pm.

In February, there are another two chances to see the film: on Thursday 2, at Florence Arts Centre, in Egremont, from 7pm; and on Monday 13, at The Kirkgate, in Cockermouth, at 8pm.

I, Daniel Blake won the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and the Prix du Public at the 2016 Locarno International Film Festival, and landed seven nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, with lead actor, Dave Johns, picking up the Best Actor award.

Johns excelled in his first major film role, having previously appeared primarily in TV dramas and as one of the UK's best-established stand-up comedians.

Tickets for all screenings are available from the respective venues.