The spotlight of the movie world was on Bradford tonight as the red carpet was rolled out for the opening of the 16th Bradford International Film Festival.

Special guests from across the district attended the black tie event at the National Media Museum to see the UK premiere of Perrier’s Bounty, a film directed by Ian Fitzgibbon and starring Cillian Murphy, Jim Broadbent, Jodie Whittaker and Brendan Gleeson.

The festival, which runs until Sunday, March 28, will feature more than 120 films from all over the world, including more than 30 UK or world premieres.

This year, the first week of the festival will also be the official launch of the City of Film.

National Media Museum director Colin Philpott last night said: “The film festival has been running for 16 years and we think we have established a pretty good reputation for this film festival in Bradford and beyond Bradford.

“But the fact that this is the first one since Bradford became Unesco City of Film makes it a special one because obviously today is not just the opening of the film festival, it is the public unveiling of Bradford as City of Film.

“The ambition for us is to become the best film festival in England outside of London.

“There’s no reason this film festival can’t be recognised as the best one outside London – in many ways we already think we are.

“It’s always been an exciting festival but this year is particularly special because we are trying to move from what’s already been a good film festival to something that is better – done in the context of the international recognition of City of Film.”

Festival director Tony Earnshaw said he was excited about the upcoming weeks of film indulgence, but also a little nervous.

He said: “I want it to be as good as it can possibly be and as far as the City of Film is concerned, I’m hoping that people generally buy into the concept of what City of Film is and the ambition and the aim that we have all got for the future.

“I kind of vary between being very proud of what we have all put together and very nervous – I think you have to be nervous to be able to want to pull it off.

“All of this – the Unesco, the museum and the festival – is all run on passion, we are all passionate about film and I think that comes through. ”

For more information on the festival visit national mediamuseum.org.uk/biff.