THE RED carpet will be rolled out for the fifth Liss Film Festival at the Triangle.

This year’s festival will be opened by broadcaster and writer Martin Muncaster at the opening night gala, which will feature a canapes and fizz reception before the first film is screened.

One of the organisers of the festival, Marilyn Timney, said: “We like to involve people living locally if we can.

“Martin is well known and he has a good background as a broadcaster, so we are very pleased he is able to do it.”

There will also be the option to turn up in 1920s dress to the opening gala, to tie in with the screening of Chicago.

Marilyn said: “As it is our fifth film festival we wanted to start with something different so if people would like to come in 1920s dress that would be great, although it is not essential.”

Preparations are going well for the festival, which will finish with a closing gala of a two-course meal and a screening of the final film.

Marilyn said: “The big decisions have been made and we are putting the detail in.”

Tickets are on sale and this year the funds raised from the festival will be put towards the alterations to extend the coffee bar space.

This year’s festival will be from Thursday, February 23, to Sunday, February 26.

The films being shown are Chicago, Ethel & Ernest, the French film du Rififi chez les femmes, which will be shown with English subtitles, The Secret Life of Pets, Bridget Jones’s Baby and Eye in the Sky.

There will also be the opportunity to have afternoon tea on Friday, February 24, after the screening of Ethel & Ernest, although tickets should be booked in advance. Tickets for the opening night gala and closing gala should also be booked in advance.

Tickets are available to buy by calling the Triangle’s box office on 01730 301000.