When I started planning the UK premiere with the team from our chosen charity, FilmAid (www.filmaid.org), I confessed to one of the organisers that I had two major fears: the first was that no one would turn up. The second was that we would be overrun and many would be denied entry. By what seemed like a miracle on that sweltering July evening, the house was packed - and everyone got a seat.

What's more, pretty much everyone I'd hoped might be there actually came and walked the red carpet: Sophie Okonedo, Alice Krige and Sandra Laing; (sadly, Sam Neill was in New Zealand and couldn't get away, but he sent his best wishes - and beautiful daughter - instead); Alan Rickman, Susannah York, Miriam Margolyes, Graham Norton, Greta Scacchi, Maryam D'Abo, Hugh Hudson, Moira Stuart, Edward and Fred Fox, Baroness Lola Young, Dame Emma Kirkby, Stephen Isserlis, Christopher Hogwood - and several other long-time supporters of the project, many of whom had witnessed the long struggle to bring this story to the screen.

I asked Sophie and Alice to come on to the stage at the end of my introduction; I reminded the audience that this was a true story - but wanted to keep Sandra's presence there as a surprise. As soon as the end credits were over, I asked Sandra to join me on stage and, as in Toronto, Dubai and Los Angeles - everyone in the auditorium leapt to their feet. It is immensely gratifying for Sandra, who has suffered so much, to receive a standing ovation at every premiere she has attended. And to be told afterwards that people admire her strength and courage. People lingered long after the screening and Q&A, wanting to talk about the film - chatting inside the cinema, and out into the street. May they keep talking. And tell all their friends about the UK release - our first! - 24th July.