The suspense is mounting for the Opening Gala - Sylvain Chomet's much-anticipated The Illusionist.

After visiting EIFF with his feature Belleville Rendez-vous in 2003, the Frenchman adopted Edinburgh as his new home, and set The Illusionist on these very streets.

There will be entertainment and plenty of stars to spot at the spectacular launch. The guest list includes director Sylvain Chomet and our extra-special guests Sir Sean Connery and Sir Patrick Stewart.

Screenwriter Nick Hornby (An Education) and director Mike Hodges (Pulp, Get Carter) will be paying the Red Carpet a visit, along with our very own Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies), and Ms Ugly Betty herself, America Ferrera. Former First Minister Jack McConnell will also be in attendance.

But it wouldn't be a Red Carpet event without you!

You, film fans of Edinburgh and guests of beyond, are cordially invited to join us at the Red Carpet. There will be an area set aside just for fans of the Fest, and we expect the celebs to start arriving at 17:30, so best get there a little earlier to grab a prime spot.

It is the perfect opportunity to get in with the crowd, get a feel for the festivities, snap some photos, and see the stars.