At least 15,000 people are expected to attend the UK Jewish Film Festival, with organisers reporting that 60 per cent of tickets were sold out in advance of the festival opening on this week.

Israeli films, The Green Prince; The Dove Flyer and Zero Motivation have been the most popular draws in London.

Some 67 feature films and 28 shorts will be shown, with a total of 159 screenings in Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Glasgow, as well as the capital.

More than 10 cinemas are being used this year, following the decision by the festival's main venue, the Tricycle Theatre, to mount a boycott over UKJFF funding from the Israeli embassy.

Executive director Judy Ironside said: "We have many loyal audiences and this year we are aware that there is very strong support."

It is the 18th year the festival has been held. It launches on Thursday evening with gala showings of the French film, The Art Dealer, at the BFI Southbank in London, and at the Cineworld Didsbury in Manchester.

● The Tricycle Theatre has apologised for its boycott, it is understood.

A letter was sent to the UKJFF by theatre chairman Jonathan Levy and artistic director Indhu Rubasingham last week.

Festival chairman Stephen Margolis said: "We have received and acknowledged correspondence from the Tricycle but it is, of course, for them to choose when and how to make their position public."

The Tricycle refused to comment.