20th LEEDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2nd-12th November 2006

Launching on 2nd November with acclaimed UK comedy drama Venus and special guest Corinne Bailey Rae, the 20th Leeds International Film Festival features a vast and unprecedented line-up of over 350 films in six major programme sections (more than 100 of which are World, European and UK Premieres � from across the world): major previews and award winning arthouse films in Official Selection; terrifying horror in Fanomenon; new British filmmaking in UK Film Week; incredible shorts in Shoot; transcendent film in Devotional Cinema; and ascinating music and human rights documentaries in Cinema Versa.

The Film Festival opens with a screening of Roger Michell's VENUS a bittersweet comedy drama starring Leslie Philips and Peter O'Toole and written by Hanif Kureshi. The screening will be attended by director Roger Michell, star Jodie Whittaker, Corinne Bailey Rae (who provided the soundtrack) and producer Kevin Loader. The opening night will also see a preview screening of the Yorkshire based film MISCHIEF NIGHT attended by cast and crew.

Other guests confirmed for the Film Festival include Christopher Smith, the director of recent British Horror movie SEVERANCE, who will be on hand to provide a unique 'live commentary' for his hit film, cast and crew from the premieres of UK films such as GAMERZ, THE PENALTY KING, SPLINTER and LIKE MINDS and legendary musician John Foxx who will provide the first performance of his audiovisual masterpiece CATHEDRAL OCEANS.

Many films will compete for a myriad of awards. The Golden Owl Award � which was won last year by the recently acclaimed FROZEN LAND� which promotes talented international filmmakers who haven't come to prominence in the UK. The Louis Le Prince Short Fiction Award will give one filmmaker the chance to win �1000, donated by the Louis Le Prince Centre for Cinema, Photography and Television. The Silver Melies award � presented in association with the European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals � will celebrate the best European fantasy feature whilst the Yorkshire Short Film Award will see the greatest talent from the region vie for a cash prize donated by Screen Yorkshire.

Other highlights during the Film Festival include the UK Premiere of Kim Ki-Duk's disturbingly brilliant TIME, the first chance to see PAPRIKA: the latest anime from the director of TOKYO GODFATHERS, the plethora of music and human rights documentaries contained in Cinema Versa including the UK Premiere of punk documentary AMERICAN HARDCORE and a examination of the spiritual aspect of cinema in Devotional Cinema.

Fanomenon kicks off on Friday 3rd November with the Fanomenon Horror Weekend a full three days of the bloodiest, weirdest and scariest horror features and shorts available, taking place at The Carriageworks. Highlights include the UK Premiere of DARK REMAINS an elegant and modern ghost story, the UK Premiere of THE WOODS an atmospheric chiller starring EVIL DEAD legend Bruce Campbell, the first chance to see the insane Japanese movie MEATBALL MACHINE and a special SURPRISE SCREENING to close the event. Also on hand will be British film director Christopher Smith who will provide a unique 'live DVD commentary' for his hit horror comedy SEVERANCE and there'll also be live performances and many other extra special events throughout the weekend.

Other highlights of Fanomenon include a mini retrospective of Japanese filmmaker Kawaski Minoru with the UK Premiere of EXECUTIVE KOALA � a film about an executive who's, well, a Koala -, THE CALAMARI WRESTLER and THE WORLD SINKS EXCEPT JAPAN. There'll also be some the UK Premiere of latest hit anime film PAPRIKA, the European Premiere of BEACH PARTY AT THE THRESHOLD OF HELL � a MAD MAX for the 21st Century - and the legendary NIGHT OF THE DEAD VI, the all night "horrorthon" held at the Hyde Park Picture House.

Available now is the 128 page Film Festival guide and the full programme is also available at www.leedsfilm.com so make sure you visit to get all the information you need to know about what's on, or call the Film Festival Box Office on
0113 224 3801.