Spike Lee will be a guest at the festival

Star visitors to the festival, such as acclaimed director Spike Lee, are a further endorsement of the festival's importance.

"They are there to make money in the shortest possible time and spend the least amount of money in doing that," Thompson said.

"They know they would have to nurture the audience and they simply do not know how to market these films and so they chose not to take the risk.

"But we are trying to show them there is an audience for these movies."

Sell-out

There are 60 films, made by and starring black actors from all over the world, showing at the festival which runs from 7 until 13 September.

Thompson: Mission to get wider distribution for black film-makers

Thompson said he expected most, if not all, to sell out.

"There is generally huge demand for the screenings. Audiences tell me they are amazed these films are not shown regularly in regular cinemas," he commented.

Among the highlights are Spike Lee's new movie A Huey P Newton Story, which will receive its UK premi�re.

Love Come Down, a US drama about two brothers - one black and one white - directed by Clement Virgo and starring Larenz Tate - will receive its world premi�re.

Irreverent British comedy Dog Eat Dog will also receive its first public showing.

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It is written by former Radio 1 DJ Mark Tonderai and stars Rik Billick, Nathan Constance and features Melanie Blatt, Martin Kemp and Ricky Gervais.

There are also a number of innovative movies from film-makers in Europe such as French/German collaboration Little Senegal.

'Global'

Thompson was quick to dispel preconceptions that festival-goers are predominantly black.

"We get an urban audience, reflecting the cosmopolitan make-up of London," he explained.

"These films reflect issues of popular culture that are global.

Once in a Life: "Rescued" from the video store

"Blacks, Asians, whites - they all come. They are just people who are interested in cinema and good film-making about issues they can relate to."

Thompson said that most black-orientated films "go straight to video", especially in the UK.

As such, one of the principal aims of the festival is, he said, to "rescue" movies from the shelf.

Hard-hitting Once in the Life was such a film, according to Thompson. It is directed by and stars Matrix actor Laurence Fishburne in a story of drugs and gangster underworld.

"We're giving this film the profile it richly deserves. But if a film like that can't get distribution in the UK then who knows what is going on," Thompson commented.

'Escapism'

Sean Tuomey, marketing spokesman for independent film distributors Metrodome, defended the strategy of companies like his.

"We do take risks and go out on a limb when we think an independent, non-mainstream film is good enough.

"But, at the end of the day, even that is not always enough.

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"The majority of the audience want pure escapism for their money, which is what Hollywood movies with CGI graphics and big stars provide."

Mr Tuomey added that he intended to make it down to the film festival to see what was on offer. He might also have discussion with its director.

As for Thompson, though excited about the outcome of this year's event, he remains cautious.

"The reality is that the money just does not go to black and other independent film-makers. They are marginalised simply because they do not fit into the Hollywood mould.

"So, if what we are doing is seen as a "black film movement", so be it. All we are trying to do is get a piece of the mainstream action - without compromise."

The Black Film-Maker International Festival runs in several London venues from 7 to 13 September. See website for details.