WHILE Southend gears itself up for an extended weekend of films as part of the town’s annual film festival, there’s an exhibition running alongside the main event worth a visit.

The main posters may be iconic, but have you ever wondered how classic Hollywood films were advertised in other countries?

The exhibition provides a fascinating insight – a must for any film buff – with a collection of posters for Hollywood blockbusters, advertising them in different countries, collated by Alan McQueen.

The rare prints are joined by a collection of striking black and white images from photographer Niki Cornish, who has covered the film festival since its first year.

She has picked some of her most iconic images of celebrities from the festival’s popular opening gala over the past four years and turned them into film poster-style images.

Featuring familiar faces, including festival patron Ray Winston, the photos capture some of the stylish, glitzy and striking celebrities who have graced the red carpet over the years at the festival.

And, of course, she’ll be back behind the lens on Thursday as the festival officially launches with another plush event at the Odeon cinema, in Southend, before a glitzy bash at the Park Inn Palace hotel.

Exhibition: Galas Night Photographs and Foreign Film Posters,
Beecroft Gallery, Station Road, Westcliff, until Saturday, May 11. Admission is free