LONDON: The London film festival ended late on Sunday with the European premiere of Mike Newell’s “Great Expectations” and the release of figures showing public attendance at screenings across the capital this year had risen 12 per cent to a record 149,000.

Organisers of the annual 12-day cinema showcase, which has yet to match the importance of other European festivals like Berlin, Venice and Cannes, also introduced a new awards format this year to try and raise its international profile.

Clare Stewart, in charge of her first London film festival, said the 2012 event had underlined the strength of the British film industry.

“I think British cinema is incredibly healthy and you can see that in the range of films that we’ve had on offer,” she told Reuters on the red carpet in London’s Leicester Square.

“Everything from our opening night film ‘Frankenweenie’ which is made with over 200 British craftspeople ... all the way through to tonight’s ... ‘Great Expectations’ with Mike Newell at the helm and an incredibly talented British cast.”—Reuters