Film festival has lift off

Sponsors and guests gathered at the Carriageworks on Wednesday 7 November to celebrate the start of the 21st Leeds International Film Festival. The sponsors, alongside members of the public, watched Persepolis, one of the most talked-about and acclaimed films of the year in the main auditorium.

Based on the inspirational, best selling, autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis is the poignant and beautifully animated story of an inquisitive and outspoken young girl coming-of-age during the Islamic Revolution.

The film was received by rapturous applause and sets the tone for two weeks of cinematic art from around the world, screening over 300 films in 15 venues across the city.

Showing at the Hyde Park Picture House on the opening night was Desperado director Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror and the start of the Kazuo Hara retrospective.

Cllr John Procter, Executive Board Member for Leisure, said:

“We are delighted to have been able to show such a highly regarded film, and judging by the reactions of our audience tonight you can see why it scooped the Jury prize at Cannes this year.

“There are plenty of stimulating, enthralling and exotic films on show over the next fortnight, we hope they are enjoyed by all.”

Last year the festival attracted a record audience of 23,000 people, and with ticket sales this year already nearing last year’s figure, organisers are urging the public to buy their tickets soon.

This year sees a brand new category, Nexus, featuring work that crosses over from film into other art forms. This will feature a festival within a festival, Thought Bubble on 10 November - the biggest Comic Convention in the North of England, featuring top comic book artists - and a number of live music performances such as Cinema Soloriens and the Cosmo Drama: Sun Ra and Maya the Bee.

A second screening of Persepolis will also take place in the prestigious surroundings of Leeds Town Hall on Saturday 10 November. This unique and truly unmissable event will act as a centrepiece to the Thought Bubble Festival.

The Leeds International Film Festival, organised by Leeds City Council, is the only UK film festival with a major competition programme. For 2007 the Film Festival Official Selection presents its most extensive Golden Owl Competition programme yet, with 15 outstanding feature films representing the best of worldwide independent cinema this year.

All UK Premieres, the competition films offer an incredible variety, from astonishing Australian drama Noise and hilarious Chinese comedy Getting Home, to the beautiful imagery of La Marea from Argentina and the surreal Viking fantasy from America, Severed Ways.

Chris Fell, director of the Leeds International Film Festival, said:

“'Leeds International Film Festival is an unmissable opportunity for the city's thousands of film fans to be among the first in the world to experience some of the best new cinema of the year. Persepolis gave the Film Festival a terrific start and there are hundreds more outstanding films to come!'”

Frances Browning, spokesperson for sponsors Green Flag, said:

“We are very pleased to be sponsoring this prestigious event in Leeds and to be involved in helping to celebrate cinema from around the world.”

For a complete line-up of films and venues as well as information on tickets, go to Leedsfilm.com.