LEAGUE of Gentlemen and Benidorm star Steve Pemberton will share the bill with Hollywood directors, Bond girls and the writers of Red Dwarf at a celebration of all things sci-fi, cartoon, cult and horror. in Manchester over the August bank holiday weekend.

The three-day Starburst International Film Festival will feature a special question and answer session with John Glen, director of the James Bond movie Licence to Kill, who will also be screening his favourite 007 movie.

There will also be sessions with Doctor Who directors, producers and writers and a disco where revellers can dress up and play their favourite super-hero, sci-fi character or comic book creation.

The festival also includes the world premiere of three new Thunderbirds movies to mark the 50th anniversary of the show’s creation.

Only available previously on vinyl record, they have been lovingly created in Supermarionation and feature the first appearance of Lady Penelope.

The three shorts will be introduced by actor David Graham the voice of Parker – creator of the legendary catchphrase, “Yes, M’Lady.”

Blackburn-born Steve Pemberton, who plays Mick Garvey in the ITV series Benidorm, will be at the festival thanks to his performances in Doctor Who episodes Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead

Steve will be on hand to meet fans and give them an early sneak peek of series three of Inside No. 9, the BBC comedy series he created with League of Gentlemen co-star Reece Shearsmith.

Other highlights scheduled for the festival include a question and answer session with Bob Baker, the writer of Wallace and Gromit’s The Wrong Trouser plus a screening of the award-winning animation and personal appearances by former Dr Who assistant Katy Manning and actresses Caroline Munro and Martine Beswick.

Clint Boon of Manchester band Inspiral Carpets will be the DJ at the end of festival aftershow party.

Throughout the festival, there will be a chance to fly your own Star Ship and take part in retro gaming.

The festival, organised by Starburst magazine, will be held at the Manchester Metropolitan University Student’s Union

“The Starburst International Film Festival really does have something for everyone” said organiser Gareth Kavanagh,

“By day it’s fun for the family with competitions and quizzes and a chance to meet the creators of popular programmes like Shaun the Sheep and the Sarah Jane Adventures.

"By night it is a celebration of cult movies with special screenings of The Gorgon and The Mummy plus the opportunity to see some old favourites such as Psychomania.

“Having a writer and actor of Steve’s calibre on the bill, means that this sci-fi celebration really will be a galaxy of stars..”

The Starburst Film Festival runs from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28.

For details and to buy tickets, visit starburstfilmfest.co.uk