Thursday, Nov 16, marks the beginning of the 17th Stockholm International Film Festival. The first days of the festival offer an opening gala with Todd Field’s Little Children, John Cameron Mitchell and his competition entry Shortbus, party and glamour for festival visitors at Spy Bar, countless Face2Face-meetings, and of course – loads of film.

The Stockholm International Film Festival of 2006 is here. Below are some tips on what’s on during the first few days of the festival.

Nov 16 – The festival is officially opened at a gala screening of Todd Field’s Little Children. Red carpet and drinks for all present (Skandia 9pm). John Cameron Mitchell meets the audience and introduces his Shortbus, which opens the Stockholm XVII Competition (Skandia 6pm). The festival throws an opening party at Spy Bar (10pm-5am, admissions 100kr for festival visitors).

Nov 17 – Days of Glory, which opens this year’s Spotlight: Arabica, is screened at Skandia, followed by a Face2Face with Palm d’Or-winning actor Sami Bouajila (Skandia 6.30pm). The audience also has the chance to meet the real Claudio Tamburrini, whose dramatic life story is depicted in Buenos Aires, 1977 (Open Zone) in a Face2Face (Bio Sture 6.30pm).

Nov 18 – Korean director Seung Wan Ryoo introduces his film City of Violence (Asian Images) in a Face2Face at Bio Sture (6.30pm). Late-night moviegoers have the chance to get their money’s worth at the festival’s Gay Night, where Wild Tigers I Have Known, Old Joy and The King and the Clown are screened in a package (Zita 11pm).

Nov 19 – Aspiring directors and screenwriters have the chance to pitch their ideas to a board of established film industry representatives at this year’s Stockholm Pitch (Hotel Nordic Light, 4pm). The audience also get to meet Ryan Fleck, the director behind this year’s big festival hit Half Nelson, in a Face2Face at Bio Saga (6pm).