EASTLEIGH Film Festival gets under way on Monday with an evening of Hollywood glamour as The Point hosts its Opening Night Gala.

Festival organisers roll out the red carpet, invite you into the director’s chair and provide plenty of popcorn and Prosecco as the third annual event kicks off. Audience members are asked to don their best attire for the event, which will take place in The Point’s newly refurbished foyer.

In July the EFF team took to social media to ask what audiences wanted to watch on Opening Night. BBC Film Critic Danny Leigh provided three options: The Wicker Man, Sexy Beast or The Servant, and voters chose Ray Winstone crime drama Sexy Beast.

Directed by Jonathan Glazer, the film has attained cult status with Winstone starring as retired safecracker Gal, dragged back into the game by Ben Kingsley’s psychotic criminal Don. It’s a who’s who of British acting talent and a fantastic example of the strength of the UK filmmaking.

Danny Leigh will introduce the opening film before Eastleigh Film Festival transforms the borough with 16 screenings across the town, closing on Saturday October 1 with the sold-out Airplane! at Southampton Airport.

“I’ve always admired the idea behind the festival, putting on a programme of great films which really connect with audiences, but also doing it with a spirit of adventure in both the movies and the venues," said Danny Leigh.

Tickets to this exclusive event are just £8 with £6 concessions. Eastleigh Film Festival is also working with the Daily Echo to offer readers £5 tickets to the Opening Night; just quote EchoEFF5 when booking!

Visit eastleighfilmfestival.com or call 023 8065 2333 for more details.