The 56th London Film Festival Set to Open

The 56th London Film Festival is due to kick off with a screening of Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie,' while other highlights include a Rolling Stones documentary and Ben Affleck's back in the directors chair with 'Argo.'

Published

8 months ago

Categories

Entertainment, Arts & Society

Topics

Celebrity

People

Ben Affleck, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Tim Burton, Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Smith

Places

London, United Kingdom

Transcript

Tim Burton's animated black-and-white tale of a boy and his dog will launch this year's BFI London Film Festival - when the 56th edition kicks off on Wednesday. Famous as one of the most accesible festivals on the circuit, this year's showcase will have even greater reach. New festival director Clare Stewart aims to make 2012 the event's most inclusive year yet: SOUNDBITE Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival director, saying (English): "So as part of the BFI's new and much wider remit we're very committed to developing audiences across the UK. And providing opportunities for them to see something that might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. So we're really excited that for our opening night premiere of Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' and also our world premiere of 'Crossfire Hurricane', the documentary about the Rolling Stones we're taking those out to thirty screens across the UK in the case of opening night and many more for 'Crossfire Hurricane'". Of the upcoming 12 world premieres, it's the Rolling Stones documentary which is gaining the biggest hype. The famous musicians are not the only A listers expected on the red carpet in the capital though. Hoping London can compete with high profile festivals such as those held in Venice and Toronto - Stewart is pleased with her line-up. SOUNDBITE Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival director, saying (English): "We've got a great selection of gala events at the festival this year. Dustin Hoffman directorial debut which stars Maggie Smith who'd be on the red carpet for 'Quartet' along with Billy Connolly. We have a great night with Ben Affleck for 'Argo'. And we've also got a fantastic line-up with closing night for 'Great Expectations' with Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes." In total 225 films are set to screened during the 12-day long event, which is due to finish on October 21st.