Opening with the English premiere of Crush, starring Andie McDowell, Imelda Staunton and Anna Chancellor. The festival includes over 400 short and feature films from around the world.

They will be shown in cinemas, cafes, and churches, while some will be projected onto the front of a hotel and even Leeds Town Hall.

Among the highlights of the festival is the UK premiere of Nicole Kidman's new film The Others, which is currently number two in the American box office charts. Disney's new film Atlantis will also have its UK premiere during the course of the Festival.

Other premieres include the A-Team's Dirk Benedict's (Face) debut feature Cahoots and Guillermo del Toro's The Devil's Background.

The festival runs until October 12.