As part of a deal hammered out with Vue Cinemas, the festival will continue to be based in Soho but screenings will now also taking place at Vue cinemas in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cambridge as well as Shepherds Bush and Islington.
The Vue West End, in Leicester Square, will host the delegate centre during the festival, which takes place from July 30 to August 5 and is now in its seventh year.
Screenings will take place in cafes and bars in Soho and an awards night takes place at the CC Club in central London.
Mark de Quervain, Vue Entertainment marketing director, said: "With our involvement the festival can now grow to match the stature it already has within film industry circles, and reach a larger proportion of the public."
The deadline for entries is May 13. This year's celebrity spokeswoman is Alison Steadman, star of ITV1's 'Fat Friends' and famous for her role as Beverly in 'Abigail's Party'.
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