THERE is just one day to go before the Glasgow Film Festival kicks off.

The festival opens with French romantic-comedy Populaire tomorrow (Thursday) night and closes on 24 February with the UK premiere of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing.

Whedon, more familiar as the director of Avengers Assemble, is one of several star guests expected to grace the red carpet.

His reputation alone meant that the gala screening of his latest film had sold out within an hour of going on sale, long before he was announced as attending.

Other stars to walk the red carpet include actors Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Clash of the Titans) and Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, Hanna) who will join director Neil Jordan to support mother-daughter vampire thriller Byzantium, which screens as part of Film4 FrightFest.

Hostel creator Eli Roth will also make an appearance at FrightFest, promoting the UK Premiere of Aftershock, which he stars in and also produced. He'll be accompanied by Lorenza Izzo, who also stars in the film, and director Nicolas Lopez.

Scottish acting legend James Cosmo, who features in a record five films in this year's festival programme, will also attend to talk about his career.

And one of the stars of Cloud Atlas, which was partially shot on Clackmannanshire Bridge and in Glasgow, will be appearing to promote the film.

James D'Arcy stars alongside Halle Berry and Tom Hanks in the adaptation of David Mitchell's best selling novel, directed by the Wachowski siblings.

The film is one of 368 screenings, panel discussions, live performances and special events named in the 2013 programme.

For more information go online to http://www.glasgowfilm.org/festival