A talk with director of the National Theatre Sir Nicholas Hytner, a screening of a documentary looking at the work of cartoonists in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks and a General Election 2015 hustings are just some of the things feature in our top five this week.

1. Sunday - General Election 2015 Hustings

Candidates battling to become the next MP for Hampstead and Kilburn will be put under the spotlight on Sunday as the Ham&High takes part in one of the first hustings for the 2015 General Election.

Representatives from five political parties will be on the stage at Belsize Square Synagogue in Belsize Square, tackling questions from constituents and member panellists.

The 2010 election saw the constituency become the most marginal seat in Great Britain with incumbent Glenda Jackson MP (who is stepping down) winning by just 42 votes.

Attending are Rebecca Johnson (Green), Simon Marcus (Conservative), Maajid Nawaz (Liberal Democrat), Magnus Nielsen (UKIP) and Tulip Siddiq (Labour).

Geoff Martin, editor in chief of the Ham&High, will also be taking part as an expert panellist.

The evening is chaired by Jonathan Charles, formerly long-serving BBC world affairs correspondent and presenter.

Doors open at 7pm and questions from constituents are to be submitted in person by 7.30pm.

The debate will start at 8pm, running until 9.30pm.

2. Thursday - Sir Nicholas Hytner

Director of the National Theatre Sir Nicholas Hytner will be in conversation with Baroness Joan Bakewell at Cecil Sharp House in Regents Park Road. Presented by Primrose Hill Community Library, Sir Nicholas will be discussing his career and his forthcoming film The Lady in the Van. The drama film is an adaptation of the play by the same name by Alan Bennett and stars Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings. Starts 7pm. Tickets £12. Tickets available from Primrose Hill Books in Regents Park Road or online at primrosehillbooks.com. All proceeds to benefit Primrose Hill Community Library.

3. Wednesday - Cartoonists film screening

In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Wednesday sees the screening and discussion of a “powerful and moving” film which follows 12 “courageous” cartoonists as they capture the comedy and tragedy in the world, armed with just a pencil.

Directed by Stéphanie Valloatto and produced by acclaimed Jewish director Radu Mihaileanu, Cartoonists (2014) charts these skilled illustrators as they “permanently test the degree of democracy in their country and put themselves in the frontline”.

The cartoonists featured hail from Tel Aviv, Moscow, New York, Caracas, and Paris.

The screening will be followed by a discussion featuring Martha Richler (an acclaimed political cartoonist, whose cartoons are also represented in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and in the Charles Saatchi Collection); David Aaronovitch (journalist and a regular columnist for The Times); and Jodie Ginsberg (CEO of Index on Censorship and a former Bureau Chief of Reuters in the UK).

Held at the JW3 in Finchley Road and presented by UK Jewish Film. Starts 8pm. Tickets £5 to £10.

Visit jw3.org.uk to book.

4. Tuesday - Jacques Attali

An eminent French economist and writer provides a unique evening and concert. Jacques Attali, publisher of 60 books and who was the first president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, sets aside his economic and literary interests and instead takes on the role of conductor to perform alongside Southbank Sinfonia. He has been a conductor for 10 years, having recently conducted orchestras in France, Switzerland, Israel and China. Held at the JW3 in Finchley Road. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £12.50 to £25. Visit jw3.org.uk.

5. Tuesday - Photography

The man behind one of London’s premier contemporary and classical photography galleries will be giving a talk in Hampstead and showing off some favoured pictures. Giles Huxley-Parlour, of Beetles and Huxley gallery in the West End, gives an insider’s view into the art world and art market. With his gallery showing some of the world’s most influential artists and photographers, he will be showing some of his pieces during the evening. Hosted by the Hampstead Photographic Society. Held at St John’s Church in Church Row (the Crypt Room). Visitors £3, members go free. To become a member for the remainder of the year, the annual membership cost of £60 will be at a much reduced rate. Visit hampsteadphotosoc.org.uk for more information.