This very special evening will set the scene for the festival during the following three days. Enjoy a festival drink and some nibbles before taking your seat for the official opening by Marjorie Snowden, Sherborne town mayor. Hear about the highlights to come and get in the mood with a short, colourful animated film of Rossini’s overture of The Italian Girl in Algiers– its first screening in theUK.

The main feature film this evening, A Separation, has been made possible by the kind permission of the British Film Institute, prior to its general DVD release.

Tickets for this charitable event are £10 and available from the Tourist Office from the end of September.