SOUTHEND Film Festival kicked off with hundreds of VIP guests joining in the celebrations.

The opening gala of the annual festival was hosted at the Victoria Shopping Centre, in Chartwell Square, with a host of writers, filmmakers and actors all involved on the night.

Some of the most high profile guests included David Wood OBE, Carry On actor, Robin Askwith, Black Mirror’s Brian Pettifer and Richard Everett.

The gala also saw an appearance from the festival’s patron, Vicki Michelle MBE, who starred in ‘Allo ‘Allo.

The festival, which took place over the weekend, screened more than 40 films at venues throughout Southend, accompanied by talks from writers, directors and actors in the films.

Paul Cotgrove, the director of the festival, said: “We had a fantastic evening celebrating the beginning of the festival at the Victoria Centre and it was great to see such a strong turnout of people supporting the event.

“Now in its tenth year, the festival has grown to become the largest of its kind in Essex, attracting visitors from around the country and firmly establishing the region as a cultural hotspot.” A special screening was also held at the gala of the Cannes Film Festival classic, ‘If...’ which was held in support of the Lindsay Anderson Foundation.