The event has been "facilitated and funded by the States of Guernsey" to "celebrate the island that inspired both the bestselling book, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and the forthcoming big screen adaptation, directed by award winning filmmaker Mike Newell". Mr Newell will also be at the local premiere, along with the producer Paula Mazur who had planned the film version of the book for many years. They will be joined by Liz Froneberger, the daughter of Mrs Shaffer will attend on behalf of her late mother, as will co-author and Mrs Shaffer's niece, Annie Barrows.

The trailer, above, features shots of the Cornish coastline and areas of Dorset, where it was filmed, with locations chosen to closely represent Guernsey. Members of the film crew visited Guernsey during production to take pictures to model their filming sets.

The novel itself is set in January 1946 as London emerges from the Second World War, and Guernsey starts to recover from the Occupation. The protagonist - an author played by Ms James - becomes interested in Guernsey and how it coped during the war years. Her character travels to the island to meet a group of people who lived under German rule and she becomes entangled in their lives. 

Economic Development has previously said it is hoping to use the film to boost tourism to the island. For more information about the film, click here. 

Pictured above and top: Scenes from the film adaptation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie

The special event, planned for 12 April and organised by the Arts Foundation Guernsey on behalf of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture and supported by the Guernsey Arts Commission and States of Guernsey, will give people who live in the island "the chance to see the much anticipated film, ahead of its UK release in cinemas". The event will also act as a fundraiser for the Arts Foundation Guernsey.

Connie Helyar-Wilkinson co- founder of the Arts Foundation Guernsey and a local person born in Guernsey, said: “We on behalf of all our sponsors, and especially Specsavers, are delighted to welcome such talented actors to our tiny island. We are so grateful to the producers for keeping the name Guernsey in the title and for helping us raise much needed funds for the Arts in Guernsey”. 

Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing and Tourism – States of Guernsey added: “VisitGuernsey and STUDIOCANAL have been discussing the opportunity to hold a Guernsey based film premiere, bringing key cast members to Guernsey, for the past six months. The now confirmed attendance of Lily James and other cast members together with director Mike Newell, at the Guernsey film premiere to be hosted by the Arts Foundation, is fabulous news."

Mr Hopkins said VisitGuernsey and STUDIOCANAL have had an extremely positive working relationship: "We would like to thank them for the huge amount of effort and commitment they have all shown in helping us make this exciting event happen.

"It is a rare occasion that Guernsey has the chance to host such internationally recognised talent and the island will be welcoming Lily and the other cast and crew members with the warm hospitality it is renowned for.”