BEL AMI

Twilight star Robert Pattinson's latest, also starring Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

An all-star British cast including Judi Dench and Maggie Smith star in this charming drama set in India

THE DECOY BRIDE

David Tennant and Kelly MacDonald in a breezy romantic comedy

THE DEVIL INSIDE

Supernatural horror that was a recent box office smash in the States

BRIGADOON + GENE KELLY CEILIDH

Watch the classic MGM musical then take to the dance floor at St Andrew's in the Square

INTO THE ABYSS

The great Werner Herzog returns with a powerful documentary about a convicted murderer

THE MUPPETS

The latest big screen outing for the Muppets shows as part of the Glasgow Youth Film Festival

THE RAID

Expect breathtaking action and tension in a stunning thriller from Indonesia

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

Ewan McGregor stars in a fun and heart-warming romance

SING YOUR SONG

Music legend Harry Belafonte anchors a fine documentary about civil rights

TERRI

Showing as part of the Glasgow Youth Film Festival, this is a wonderful indie comedy with John C. Reilly

WE BOUGHT A ZOO

Matt Damon stars in director Cameron Crowe's first film in over six years

THIS year's Glasgow Film Festival will pay tribute to Hollywood star Gene Kelly and the world of superheroes - and help boost the city's economy.

The programme for the event was unveiled at its traditional home at the Glasgow Film Theatre.

It is now one of the biggest celebrations of film in the UK, having grown steadily from the inaugural event in 2005.

Ticket sales have risen from about 6000 to more than 34,000 last year, and since it began, the festival has generated more than £1million for the city economy.

Festival co-directors Allison Gardner and Allan Hunter came on board for the third festival in 2007 and pride themselves on providing something for everyone in a warm and welcoming environment.

"We bring a vibrancy of film culture to Glasgow, alongside an up close and personal interaction with the filmmakers," says Allison.

"We choose films on their merit as good films, not on their premiere status."

But she also appreciates these are tough economic times for everyone, especially those paying for the tickets.

"We understand people don't have a lot of money, and for that reason saver tickets are at the same price as last year.

"That is also the reason we also have more than a dozen free films and events. With the internet saver deals, you can get tickets for as little as £4.50, which these days only gets you a coffee and a bun.

"We don't charge extra when actors or directors come and talk about their films, and I think audiences respond to that."

The opening night film on February 16 will be Your Sister's Sister, the latest from indie filmmaker Lynn Shelton. The festival will come to a close on the 26th with Aki Kaurismaki's Le Havre.

In between, 239 films from around the world will be screened as part of the main festival, plus the Glasgow Youth Film Festival which runs from February 5-15, and the Glasgow Short Film Festival, from February 9-12.

Strands will include Best Of British, European Cinema, Fashion In Film, and Stranger Than Fiction, which focuses on the best new documentaries.

And it is the variety of the films being shown that most excites Allison.

She adds: "There is something for everyone. I want audiences to find 10 films that will rock their world. There are films that will really capture your emotions and make you look at life in a different way, alongside the high-end gala screenings."

Audiences will get the chance to rediscover the movies of Gene Kelly, with a season of his best loved films, including Singin' In the Rain, On The Town and Anchors Aweigh.

"We chose Gene partly because it is the centenary of his birth," says Allison, "and we have cherry picked his best movies. Just watching his films on the big screen is going to be great."

At a time when Edinburgh International Film Festival faces criticism for an underwhelming movie selection and falling audiences, Glasgow's popularity continues to grow, but Allison is quick to play down any rivalry.

"I think Edinburgh is a great film festival. We both punch above our weight, with the number two and three film festivals in the UK both in Scotland. We should be proud of what we are doing in this country in terms of giving people a huge range of film culture.

"Edinburgh shows great films and industry events, it is the festival of discovery. The Glasgow festival is all about the audience. We do two different things and we both do it well."

Glasgow-based comic book writer Mark Millar serves as the festival's ambassador and was responsible for programming the Kapow! strand, which is dedicated to all things comic and superhero related.

"I'm delighted to have been asked to be an ambassador again for the Festival," he says.

"West Scotland has always had a love affair with Hollywood and genre movies in particular, so it's been a geeky dream for me to help put this strand of the festival together again.

"I am basically picking movies I love and want to share with other people who might not have seen them. Plus I get free tickets. It's brilliant!"

Venues across the city will include the GFT, Cineworld in Renfrew Street, and the Centre For Contemporary Arts in Sauchiehall Street.

The festival also expands into the South Side, with events at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall and the Tramway Theatre and around Glasgow.

l Glasgow Film Festival runs from February 16-26. Tickets are now on sale. The full list of films to be screened and more information can be found at: www.glasgowfilm.org/festival

ALLAN HUNTER AND ALLISON GARDNER

MARK MILLAR