Cate Blanchett makes grand entrance in striking gown at glitzy BFI dinner

The actress was among a host of showbiz elite who stepped out to kick off London Film Festival
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Emma Powell5 October 2016
The Weekender

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Cate Blanchett made a grand arrival as she stepped out for a gala dinner to kick off this year’s BFI London Film Festival.

The Australian actress, 47, looked striking in a monochrome gown with giant white shoulders as she posed for photographers at the IWC Schaffhausen Dinner in Honour of the BFI at Rosewood London.

Blanchett - who is no stranger to the annual event having dazzled on the red carpet at multiple screenings last year - fashioned the look with a large red bow and wore her hair loose.

Hosted by BFI CEO Amanda Nevill and presented by Rob Brydon, the glitzy bash attracted a wealth of stars from film, music and fashion.

Standing out: Cate Blanchett commands attention
Rex Features

Amber Le Bon chatted happily to press as photographers snapped away at her striking pink hair, while Clara Paget showcased her model credentials with a series of poses on the red carpet.

Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Violet Manners and Amber Nuttall caught up inside the star-studded venue and Dermot O'Leary enjoyed a night out ahead of the X Factor live shows on Saturday night.

The male stars looked suitably dapper with Downton Abbey creator Jullian Fellowes opting for a black tuxedo while actor Douglas Booth worked a green velvet jacket and Dougie Poynter fashioned his suit with a patterned bow tie.

Youtuber Jim Chapman was all smiles despite arriving without his wife Tanya Burr, as was Boris Becker and his wife Lilly Becker who put on an affectionate display.

Feeling blue: Cara Theobold wows in a layered dress
Dave Benett

Stars including model Sam Rollinson and her boyfriend Matt Richardson and actors Dudley O'Shaughnessy and Romola Garai also took the opportunity to grab a picture with IWC CEO Georges Kern.

The £50,000 Bursary Award is presented in recognition of outstanding British talent and is designed to support a writer and/or director at the beginning of their career.

Don't look back: Lady Violet Manners works the over the shoulder pose (Dave Benett)
Dave Benett/Getty Images for IWC

Joseph a. Adesunloye, Hope Dickson Leach, Alice Lowe and Paul Anton Smith are in contention for the potentially career changing award.

The director of the BFI Film Fund, Ben Roberts, said: “All four filmmakers are on very different paths in terms of their filmmaking — each has already developed an enviable confidence and style and this bursary would greatly benefit any of them.”

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