MOVIEGOERS attending this year’s sixth Oxford Film Festival are gearing up for tonight’s screening of the Woody Allen classic Manhattan, right, which closes the festival’s most successful season ever.

Suzy Sheriff, manager of the Phoenix Picturehouse cinema in Walton Street, Oxford, which plays host to the annual cinematic celebration, said: “Showing Woody Allen’s early films has really caught cinemagoers imaginations, especially now that the 1970s are enjoying something of a mainstream revival. And all this week’s films have played to packed houses, a trend we expect to continue tonight with our screening of Manhattan.”

Jeremy Smith, entertainments editor for the Oxford Mail, which co-sponsors the festival, added: “It’s hard to argue with something that makes you laugh and feel good. The spontaneous applause at the end of every screening has been fantastic. Audiences really have made it that special. And tonight’s showing of Manhattan, Allen’s love-letter to the Big Apple, should be a sell-out. Screening it – and trust me, it really is a fantastically romantic experience – is the perfect way to close what has been a wonderful six days.”

Manhattan starts at 8.45pm. Anyone with a copy of today’s Oxford Mail can get in for half-price (the Oxford Mail will also be on sale in the foyer). Call the Phoenix on 01865 316570.