Capital's gay film festival begins
The 22nd annual BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival launches tonight with a glittering opening gala in London's Leicester Square.
Romantic comedy Love And Other Disasters, starring Brittany Murphy and Matthew Rhys, is being screened at the Odeon West End cinema to mark the start of this year's festival.
The film's director, Alek Keshishian - who also directed In Bed With Madonna - will be attending the gala along with a host of other directors, producers and actors from films being showcased at the festival.
Brittany stars as Emily 'Jacks' Jackson, a young fashion assistant on a mission to find a boyfriend for her unlucky-in-love gay flatmate, played by Matthew.
The romantic comedy, set in London, has been described as a "sharper, gayer version of Love, Actually crossed with a pinch of The Devil Wears Prada". Catherine Tate, Stephanie Beacham, Dawn French and Richard Wilson also star in the film, as does Angus Deayton, who will be attending tonight's gala.
The festival, featuring films and documentaries dealing with all issues of sexuality and showcasing the work of gay film makers from around the world, runs until April 10.
