LIGHTS, camera, action! It is nine months away but the box office for this year’s Thanet International Film Festival has opened.

Two local hospices, Pilgrims and Demelza, for children, will benefit from the proceeds of the October red carpet event.

President Carl Tooney chose the charities because his own mother, Patricia, was cared for at Margate’s Pilgrims hospice.

He said: “They are both very worthwhile charities which do so much to support the people of Kent.”

In 2010 Carl has his sights set on an even bigger October festival than last year’s which saw global directors and actors including Bollywood superstars Mukesh Rishi and Nafisa Ali attendand the Uk’s Rebecca Grant, who plays Holby City’s Sister Daisha Anderson. James Blunt’s biopic Till You’re Told To Stop also premiered at Westgate’s Carlton cinema.

Carl said: “Entries don’t close until the summer, but they’ve already surpassed last year’s. The reputation of the festival is building with each year bigger budget entries and more high profile entrants.”

Vue cinema Westwood Cross has donated a screen for the festival premiere on Monday, October 25 with screenings at the Winter Gardens on October 26 and 27 before a final red carpet awards dinner at the Winter Gardens on Thursday, October 28.

For information visit http://www.filmmakerfestival. com or call 01843 225306.