THE LARGEST film festival in the south opens this week with 18 days of movies to make even the most die-hard of movie buffs sweat.

With 120 films including over 40 premieres, previews and new releases, Chichester International Film Festival begins and ends with British stars showing Hollywood what the south coast town is made of.

Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay star in the opening night preview 45 Years, telling the story of a couple who receive some ghostly news on the eve of their 45th wedding anniversary.

Now in its 24th year, the festival closing gala 18 days later sees the UK Premiere of Two Women with Ralph Fiennes in a Russian film, the story based on a play by Ivan Turgenev.

The first week’s choices include the preview Gemma Bovery (12A) with Gemma Arterton and the Brighton-directed My Accomplice (15).

There are also UK premieres of American dark comic sci-fi film Flytrap (15), Spain’s Sonata for Cello (15) and the thriller Marshland (15) among others.

Orson Welles’ The centenary anniversary of Orson Welles' birth is celebrated by a clutch of films including Citizen Kane and The Third Man.

For more information visit chichestercinema.org or call 01243 786650.