The celluloid link between Brighton and France stretches back more than 100 years.

Both places' love affair with cinema began at the same time and led the way in the early days of the silver screen.

The Lumiere brothers, from Lyon, came up with the cinematographe in 1895. The first film was shown at the Pandora Gallery, opposite the West Pier, a year later.

Now the connection is being cemented with Brighton's first French Film Week.

Starting on Friday, a variety of venues in the city will host French short films and features, exhibitions and movies for children, bringing the best of old and new Gallic cinema to the city.

Film-maker and teacher Gary Barber is behind the event.

Gary, 43, from Hanover, Brighton, came up with the idea when he travelled to show his own films three years ago at the Semaine du Cinema Britannique, Abbeville in northern France.

Every year he has become more closely involved and last year he and the Duke of Yorks Cinema in Brighton made a joint application for European funding to host their own festival.

He said: "I've always loved French cinema. It is about intimate, small stories - it's a culture and lifestyle thing.

"Whereas British cinema often tries, and fails, to copy Hollywood, with guns and explosions, French cinema has stayed intimate."

Alongside highlights such as the classic Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, Dans Ma Peau, Beau Travail and a series of short films from the Picardie region, Brighton film-makers will showcase their work.

The week includes titles un-released in the UK, special advance previews, new prints of classic reissues, short films from up-and-coming directors and film-maker question-and-answer sessions.

Mr Barber said: "It seems natural to be holding a French Film Week here. Film started off in France and Brighton.

"Pioneers were separately developing cinema at the same time, although they didn't know what each other was doing.

"We also wanted to showcase the city. Brighton has so much creative talent and we wanted to tap into that creative flow."

The opening night kicks off with Brighton-based Carnival Collective, an ensemble of percussionists, musicians, dancers and visual artists playing live outside the Duke of Yorks, followed by a short set inside the auditorium.

This is followed by Since Otar Left (Depuis Qu'Otar Est Parti), winner of the Best First Feature Caesar at the recent French Film Awards, directed by Julie Bertuccelli.

The night ends with a screening of Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey, an award-winning film from the creators of the hit stage show.

For more information, call 01273 604422, email office@frenchfilmweek.com or visit the website www.frenchfilmweek.com