The 53rd Telluride Film Festival opened on Friday with its traditional Patron Brunch and Patron Preview, drawing a large roster of stars and directors to the mountain town for one of the most closely watched stops on the awards-season circuit. The preview screening, whose title is kept secret until the audience is seated, turned out to be "Wild Horse Nine", making its North American debut fresh from a warmly received premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Attendees at the brunch included Andrew Scott, Julianne Moore, Jesse Eisenberg, Rami Malek, John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Danny Boyle, Jack O'Connell, Sandra Hüller, Ron Howard and Léa Seydoux, who has three films at this year's festival. Mike Leigh, the 83-year-old director of "Tender Loving Care", could not attend due to ill health, though his cast represented the film and branded caps were handed out in his honour. "Wild Horse Nine" is set for a second screening on Saturday at the Palm Theatre, followed by a Q&A with director Martin McDonagh and cast members including Malkovich, Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Mariana di Girolamo.