Forget the Cannes film festival, the place to be seen this year is the Bradford Can... film festival which has scooped the premiere of a long-awaited film for a charity screening

Film-goers in Bradford will be the first in the country to see the comedy-drama About A Boy, starring Hugh Grant and based on a best-selling novel by British author Nick Hornby.

The film will be shown in one of the 16 screens at Cineworld Multiplex cinema in Vicar Lane, Bradford, on Thursday, April 18, eight days before it goes on general release across the country.

Tickets are on sale now at £5 and every penny will go to the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can... Cancer Research Appeal, which aims to raise £1 million for cancer research in Bradford. The money will be spent on research by scientists at the University of Bradford's Cancer Research Unit and on patients trials of anti-cancer drugs at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Carl Walmsley, deputy general manager of Cineworld in Bradford, said: "It is fantastic for us here in Bradford to be able to offer people the chance to be the first in the country to see this film.

"Bradford is not normally the first place you would expect for the premiere showing of a film such as this. It is something we are quite excited about. People will have a good night out, see a great film and raise money for a good cause at the same time."

The film stars Hugh Grant as Will Lightman, a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his 30s who, in search of available women, invents an imaginary son and starts attending single parent meetings.

As a result of his liaisons, he meets Marcus, an odd 12-year-old boy with problems at school. Will and Marcus become friends and as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up. The film also stars Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz and is directed by Chris and Paul Weisz for Universal Pictures.

Tickets are available by post from the Bradford Can office at 21 Claremont, Bradford, BD7 1BG or from the T&A main office in Hall Ings, Bradford; as well as the T&A office at 27, Kirkgate, Shipley; the Craven Herald, 28, High Street, Skipton; the Keighley News, 80 to 86 North Street, Keighley; the Ilkley Gazette, 8, Wells Road, Ilkley; and the Wharfedale Observer, 9, Orchard Grove, Otley.

Cheques should be made payable to Bradford Can.