Bradford's eighth film festival sprang into life with a swashbuckling tale of revenge and betrayal.

The festival opened last night with the UK premiere of the Hollywood-hit The Count of Monte Cristo kicking off 16 days of exclusive screenings, special seasons and movie madness.

And to highlight the growing international importance of the Bradford Film Festival a camera crew from Chinese television were filming at the event. Their producer said the programme would be watched by an audience of up to 300 million in China - eager to hear the latest movie news from the west.

Bill Lawrence, head of film at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television which is hosting the festival, said the launch was one of the most successful in the event's eight-year history.

He said: "We're really pleased with it. We've got two Oscar winners and several BAFTA winners here tonight so we're delighted with the support we're getting from the film industry. There's a real buzz and excitement about the place."

Before The Count Of Monte Cristo screening the audience were played a recorded message from the film's director, Kevin Reynolds, and star Jim Caviezel apologising for their absence and wishing the festival every success. But Caviezel's attempts at reading his good luck message from the autocue prompted one wag to say: "I hope his acting's better than his reading!" Fortunately for the film, it is.

Among the celebrities enjoying the premiere were award-winning TV writer Kay Mellor, Full Monty star Steve Huison, Brassed Off and A Fish Called Wander producer Steve Abbott, double Oscar winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff and Goodness Gracious Me star Sanjeev Bhaskar whose new movie Mystic Masseur is being previewed at the festival on March 13. Before being whisked off to a candle-lit gala dinner Mr Bhaskar said he was delighted to be part of the festival launch.

He said: "I've been looking at the programme and it looks fantastic. There's a lot of stuff in there I wouldn't mind seeing."

Frequent festival supporter Kay Mellor said she had really enjoyed The Count of Monte Cristo.

She said: "I thought Guy Pearce was brilliant as the bad guy - he's a really versatile actor. I'm really looking forward to the festival's Richard Burton retrospective and I'm sure the children are looking forward to seeing some of the Walt Disney films."

For festival details you can visit the official festival website at www.bradfordfilmfestival.org.uk.