Double dose of 'Brian' to meet public demand
After the Herald Express revealed the Monty Python movie was given an X certificate 28 years ago by Torbay Council, entering a deadlock with distributors so the film effectively couldn't be screened, the story went around the globe.
The Telegraph, Times, Sun, Mirror, Guardian, BBC, Sky and Press Association all picked up the story in the UK, as well as international outlets as far afield as Canada and Australia.
Now festival bosses have scheduled an extra showing at the Spanish Barn so movie buffs can enjoy the screening in comfort.
Co-organiser Matt Newbury said: "The interest has been phenomenal.
"I've spoken to a media outlet in Canada while the mayor did a piece over the phone to Australia.
"It's really captured people's imagination."
The festival opened on Thursday where irony touched a guest appearance by filmmaker Peter Richardson.
The Comic Strip Presents director was caught up in national air traffic control problems while travelling from Leeds to the festival in Torquay, to introduce his short Four Men In A Plane.
Today brings the rare chance to get up and personal with the BAFTA nominated Paul Andrew Williams.
He will be introducing The Cottage, a delightfully gory tale which stars Reece Shearsmith and Andy Serkis as two bickering and incompetent kidnappers who cross paths with a psychopathic farmer in the remote countryside.
In the evening the It's A Wrap party takes place at the Riviera International Centre.
The benefit night is an official Comic Relief fundraising event and features stand-up comedy, a gameshow, charity raffle and awards for the Eat My Shorts short comedy film competition.
The line-up includes singer and comedian Steve Laister, Half Human Video Show, Starcross comedian Jerri Hart and television's Shazia Mirza.
Events continue throughout tomorrow including Life Of Brian at the Spanish Barn which now plays at 7pm and 9pm.
For tickets and more information about all the events visit www.icff.co.uk or phone 01803 211211.
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