Now it in its fifth year, the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival has grown from a weekend of films in 2007 to an internationally acclaimed annual extravaganza.

There will be events across Scotland as part of the festival, with Renfrewshire playing a leading role in hosting many of them.

This year, more than 40 events will be staged in the area – in venues including libraries, Paisley Arts Centre, a shopping centre and even local pubs, starting this Saturday with a big launch event in County Square, Paisley.

Sponsored by Glasgow Airport's FlightPath Fund, which supports community projects, festival organisers have put together a fantastic package of live music and dance acts to run from 11am until 3pm, hosted by Clyde 1's Gina McKie.

A festival spokesman said: "A huge amount of effort has gone in to planning all of the events for this year's festival by people on the Creative Forum, a group of over 30 people who get together in the run up to the festival.

"Being creative not only helps to keep us mentally healthy, it can also help with recovery from mental health problems.

"Most of the events are either free or low cost and we've tried to put together a programme that will tempt lots of people to come along to at least one of them.

"The money we received from Glasgow Airport is allowing us to do a big launch for the first time and we hope that stalls around the square will also give people vital information as well as allowing them to participate in some fun, interactive, creative activities."

Jenn Dunn, Head of Finance at Glasgow Airport, said: "The Renfrewshire Mental Health Arts and Film Festival should definitely be recognised as one of the key events in the Renfrewshire calendar.

"As a local business, Glasgow Airport is only too happy to support this worthwhile community project."

For more information on the Festival, go to www.mhfestival.com or visit the Renfrewshire Facebook page, Renfrewshire Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival 2011.