In pictures: London Film Festival

The London Film Festival has kicked off with a dramatisation - starring Michael Sheen - of Sir David Frost's infamous television interviews with the former US president Richard Nixon.

The film, Frost/Nixon, is directed by Ron Howard but began as a stage play at London's Donmar Warehouse theatre, written by Peter Morgan.

Other cast members attending were Kevin Bacon and Oliver Platt. Over the next two weeks, 400 film-makers and actors will attend screenings of upcoming cinema releases, including art-house films.

Jemima Khan also attended the opening night. The festival programme includes a number of political biographies about figures including President George Bush and the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.

Ashes to Ashes actress Keeley Hawes was also on the red carpet. Her husband - and former Spooks co-star - Matthew MacFadyen appears in Frost/Nixon.

Former Tory party leader Michael Howard and his glamorous wife Sandra also turned out for the festival, which is now in its 52nd year.

During the festival, avid cinema-goers - including Mariella Fostrup - will get their first glimpse of The Class, this year's Palme d'Or winner at Cannes.

Despite a host of big Hollywood names, Sir David was the centre of attention on opening night. He described his interviews with disgraced ex-president Nixon as "unforgettable".