Edinburgh film festival opening night: premiere of The Illusionist

It's the opening night of the Edinburgh film festival and here, to get this party started right, is MC Sir Sean Connery. He's got the grin, he's got the moves and, oh, there are so many things he wants to direct your attention to
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Like these two, for instance. French animator Sylvain Chomet (left) directed The Illusionist, the opening night movie at this year's event. Any moment now he will start sawing this woman in half
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

But first: the warm-up acts. Outside the local Ryman, the circus acrobats make like starfish. The passersby can barely tear themselves away
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Needless to say, there are showgirls too. They flash their smiles, shake their plumage and bare their limbs to the blazing Scottish sun
Photograph: Ian Jacobs/WireImage.com

But the opening ceremony is not just about acrobats and showgirls and prat-falling clowns (though maybe we imagined the clowns). It is also about celebrities. Like America Ferrara, that one off Ugly Betty
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Also in attendance: Britt Ekland, the one-time temptress from The Wicker Man. Ask nicely and she'll sing you a pagan ditty
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

And here, hurrying to catch the show, is Ewen Bremner, whose screen credits run the gamut from Trainspotting, Black Hawk Down and Naked through to Death at a Funeral, Alien vs Predator and Chris Ryan's Strike Back. Delete the duff ones as seems appropriate
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

If any more gravitas were needed, it comes courtesy of Sir Patrick Stewart, ex of Star Trek, ex of X-Men and now running extremely late for this evening's screening. And that about wraps it up
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

But just who is responsible for this spread of stars and acrobats, showgirls and performing seals (did we really see seals)? The credit goes to artistic director Hannah McGill ...
Photograph: Ian Jacobs/WireImage.com

... but the glory goes to festival patron Sir Sean. He demands it and you bet he is here to bask in it. Gallantly, however, he is prepared to share just a little of the limelight with his wife
Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian