He is also to make his Hollywood debut in a new film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, due to be released late this year.

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Back in 1975 Elstree Film Studios was struggling and got to make the original Star Wars movie because Lucas was a new boy, on a tight budget.

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The film festival is now being run by new artistic director, Chris Fujiwara, who will make a shortlist for the awards but will not pick the winners.

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