A host of stars strolled the red carpet in Leicester Square last night as The Times BFI 51st London Film Festival began in spectacular style.

Naomi Watts looked stunning as she stepped out on the red carpet for the premiere of her latest film Eastern Promises, which was eagerly received by a packed Odeon Leicester Square cinema, Europe's biggest with 1,900 seats.

Showing off her legs in a ruby and sapphire-coloured Derek Lam dress, Watts teetered in front of her fans in London's Leicester Square wearing five-inch Dorothy-red Jimmy Choo shoes.

Pausing to talk to Times Online, she spoke of the resurgence of London as a global cinematic powerhouse, a theme echoed by other celebrities to follow including Elle MacPherson, Anthony Minghella, Vincent Cassel and David Cronenberg.

Eastern Promises, directed by David Cronenberg, gives a violent picture of the Russian gangland in the east end of London, which Watts, who plays young midwife Anna, becomes embroiled in.

She said: "I read the script and I thought it's a really good, well-paced thriller and then I found out later David was directing it and so I thought this is a good idea."

Co-star Vincent Cassel, looking suave dressed completely in black, spent time chatting with fans.

He said: "I love visiting London, firstly because it's close to Paris, but also because it's a different way of life. Life between Rome, Paris and London would be paradise."

The opening night audience, which included directors Stephen Frears and Terry Gilliam, gave Eastern Promises an enthusiastic reception, breaking into applause after the film's brutal key fight scene.

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