Buffy creator Joss Whedon in Glasgow for premiere

Joss Whedon, who also wrote the 2012 blockbuster film Avengers Assemble, will attend the festival’s closing gala, which is the UK premiere of his film Much Ado About Nothing on Sunday 24 February. Tickets for the screening sold out in less than an hour.

Also making an appearance will be Oscar-winning film-maker Neil Jordan, whose credits include Interview With A Vampire. Joining him to promote vampire thriller Byzantium is former Bond girl Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan, who played Hanna in Atonement.

Byzantium will screen as part of the Film4 FrightFest, which is on 22-23 February during the festival. Eli Roth, known for horror film Hostel and Inglourious Basterds, will also be in Glasgow as his film Aftershock makes its debut in the UK, also part of FrightFest.

Glasgow Film Festival is launched on Valentine’s Day with Populaire, which is nominated for six Caesar Awards, including in the best first film category for director Regis Ronsard, who will attend the event.

Glasgow Film Festival runs from 14 to 24 February.