Sacha Baron Cohen Debuts Bruno at Austin Film Festival

Funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen wowed film fans at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas on Sunday by premiering scenes from his new comedy "Bruno".

Much of the film was shot in Texas, so the Brit decided to honour the state with a first screening.

Less than 300 movie fans got a sneak peek at 22 minutes of the film.

Baron Cohen appeared on screen inbetween three scenes - to introduce each segment.

The film, which is scheduled to hit cinemas in July, is the follow up to Baron Cohen's cult hit Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

In the new film, he portrays an outrageous gay Austrian fashion correspondent hoping to make it big in Hollywood.

In the footage shown on Sunday night, the funnyman's camp character tries to adopt a black baby and include it in an avant-garde performance art project. He also takes part in a Jerry Springer-style talk show as he searches for a mate, and he also attempts to reinvent himself as a heterosexual character, called Straight Dave.