A sold-out crowd was on hand at the Village Cinema to watch Book Week, an Australian dark comedy, as the festival starts it's four day run of films.

Book Week director Heath Davis was in town for the screening and was excited to bring his feature to the state.

"We've toured the movie across the country and to come to Tassie for the final screenings feels really satisfying," Davis said.

The independent director was keen to see the local audience reaction to his work, which was premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival to rave reviews.

"Tasmanian people are just really so embracing, and really warm and genuine, and that is the tone of the movies I try to tell," he said.

Festival co-director Helen Tilbury, who walked the red carpet with actor Sam Neill, was keen to heap praise on the fashions from the night.

"People have really dressed up for the occasion," Tilbury said.

"We've got wonderful people arriving from Sydney who are wearing little celebrity numbers, we've got locals with their best frocks on.

"There's a real buzz in the theater tonight and a real excitement for the weekend."

The Breath of Fresh Air film festival continues until Sunday May 19 at the Village Cinema in Launceston.

Tickets can be pre-purchased through Village Cinemas, for the full program see breath-of-fresh-air.com.au.