Ma Klump: One of Eddie Murphy's many characters

The festival also spotlights the work of US director John Singleton, with showings of his acclaimed debut, Boyz N the Hood, up to his latest offering, the remake of the original Blaxploitation movie Shaft.

For good measure, the original Shaft - from 1971 - starring Richard Roundtree as the ultra-cool New York private detective, will also be shown.

Previews

Movies being previewed include low-budget Cannes hit Girlfight, set in New York's kick-boxing scene, as well as Eddie Murphy's US box office hit, The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps, which gets its first UK showing on Friday.

A large-format IMAX documentary about basketball hero Michael Jordan will also be shown.

A huge hit, East is East starred Linda Bassett and Om Puri

Guests attending include director Jamil Dehlavi, who will discuss the making of his controversial biopic, Jinnah, starring Christopher Lee as Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

Acclaimed Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai's new offering, In the Mood for Love, is previewing, as are Indian film The Terrorist, and Pakistani films Waaris and Long Da Lishkara.

The closing gala film, It was an Accident, is an independent British movie starring Thandie Newton and Max Beesley, about an ex-convict trying to lead a settled life.

The festival also showcases the best in British short films, with a selection shown from over 100 submissions.

Battling for attention

Irfan Hajeeb, who is responsible for programming the festival, told BBC News Online the event would put Bradford on the map as "a massive cinema city".

Jinnah: Some Pakistanis objected to the casting of Christopher Lee as Jinnah

"Film lets the various local communities forget their differences and come together," he said.

The closing night of the festival will provide an opportunity to do just that.

A huge inflatable screen will transform a supermarket car park into a drive-in movie theatre. Film-goers without cars will be able to find seats on a grandstand.

The Bite the Mango film festival runs from 21 to 30 September.