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Vera
Drake, the award-winning film by Mike Leigh, will be the centrepiece
for the gala opening of this year's London Film Festival.
The
controversial film, about a female abortionist working in the 1950s,
picked up the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.
British actress Imelda Staunton also received plaudits for her performance
as the illegal abortionist.
The
festival will showcase more than 180 films during its two-week run
between 20 October and 4 November.
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Pixar's
animation The Incredibles is one of the highpoints of the
festival
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Among
the films scheduled to show at the festival are the latest Pixar
animation The Incredibles, Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda and
Danny Boyle's movie Millions.
Stars
expected to be in London during the festival include Kevin Bacon
and Reese Witherspoon, who will be promoting her Bollywood version
of Vanity Fair.
The
festival will close with a gala screening of I Heart Huckabees,
an existential comedy starring Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman and Naomi
Watts.
As
well as predicted blockbusters, the festival will also screen many
art house movies from around the world including China, Angola and
Uruguay.
distinctive
voices
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Festival director Sandra Hebron says this year's programme
is strong in originality and imagination
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Festival
artistic director Sandra Hebron said: "I'm delighted with the
diversity and quality of this year's selection, which is strong
in originality and imagination.
"In
showcasing new work from well-known directors alongside films from
the yet to be known, it brings together some of the most distinctive
voices in international cinema."
Director
Mike Leigh has said he felt honoured his film Vera Drake had been
chosen to open the festival.
He
added he hoped to be able to see as many films as he possibly could
during the festival.
Last
year's gala opening saw Hollywood star Meg Ryan premiere her erotic
thriller In the Cut, though the film received mixed reviews.
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