Daily News

Last night film lovers from all over the world walked the red carpet to celebrate the start of AFI FEST 2003 and the U.S. Premiere of Nigel Cole's CALENDAR GIRLS.

Outside of the gleaming Cinerama Dome, celebrities piled out of limos like commuters bursting out of Grand Central Station. The celebrated German star Udo Kier was on-hand, as was John C. Reilly, who couldn't avoid his fans when he sneaked through the back door. Kevin Costner, happy to greet the crowd, proudly strolled down AFI FEST's famed red carpet, sporting Western casual chic including pale snakeskin cowboy boots and jeans.

But the evening's real stars were the Calendar Girls themselves, both the real women who inspired the film by baring it all for charity, and the superb actresses who portrayed them on-screen. Co-star Julie Walters, clad in a violet blue velvet jacket and black trousers, was the model of elegance, whereas co-star Celia Imrie single-handily represented the opposite end of the fashion spectrum. Taking her cue from her glam screen character, Imrie made heads turn with a one-shouldered sequin dress with eye-catching pink, red, purple, and orange stripes. All the actresses wore sunflower pins on their dresses, in honor of the late husband of a real Calendar Girl Angela Baker (who planted seeds with the hope that they would bloom when her husband left the hospital).

Once inside, Nigel Cole, director of the film, thanked AFI FEST and paid tribute to the Original Girls and their "extraordinary story." And then the film itself unspooled. "Delightful," "Charming," and "Like chocolate late at night," were some of the accolades overheard after the screening.

Afterwards, buoyed by the film's joie de vivre, the crowd defied all L.A. conventions and laws and walked‹we're not lying‹to the post-screening soiree at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theatre. With the Absolut vodka flowing and Amoeba Music providing the tunes, the partygoers quickly got down to the business of devouring the savory gourmet snacks, courtesy of Ammo and Citrine restaurants, which included an inspired crab salad, sweet dates wrapped in smoky bacon and a ceviche that people were still buzzing about the next morning. The Music Box easily accommodated the large crowd, offering an oasis of tranquility upstairs and buzz and rumble of good conversation and music downstairs. Observed one Hollywood veteran as she took in the scene, "Everyone here is a V.I.P."

The same could be said for all Fest-goers at AFI FEST 2003-both last night and in the 10 days to come.