Ethyl-cyanoethyl cellulose [(E-CE)C]/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) composite films were prepared by photopolymerizing acrylic acid (AA) in (E-CE)C/AA cholesteric liquid crystalline solutions. With the selection of suitable concentrations, (E-CE)C/PAA composite films showed vivid colors due to the selective reflection property of the cholesteric phase. It was found that the wavelength of reflection was a function of the concentration of (E-CE)C, and the reflectivity was increased with increasing thickness of the film. The selective reflection of the composite holds well upon heating at temperatures below 160 degreesC. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.