London Film Festival to close with Danny Boyle's 127 Hours

The LFF screening will be the film’s European premiere, following its world premiere as a Special Presentation in Toronto.

In a film inspired by true events, James Franco stars as mountain climber Aron Ralston, who was trapped in isolation for five days and had to amputate his own arm to survive.

Boyle and Franco are expected to attend the red carpet for the festival’s closing night.

Simon Beaufoy wrote the script and Christian Colson produces alongside Boyle and John Smithson. Warner Bros Pictures UK will release the film for Pathe in January 2011.

Executive producers are Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken, Tessa Ross, Lisa Maria Falcone, Bernie Bellew and John J. Kelly. 127 Hours is a Pathé, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Film4 presentation in association with Warner Bros. Pictures of a Cloud Eight/Decibel Films /Darlow Smithson production.

Boyle’s last film, Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, was also an LFF Closing Night selection in 2008.

Sandra Hebron, the Festival’s Artistic Director, said: “Having closed the festival with Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, it is unprecedented for us to choose a Closing Night film from the same director only two years later. But 127 Hours was the obvious choice for us - with filmmaking as bold and adventurous as its subject matter, it confirms Danny Boyle as one of the world’s finest and most visionary directors, and will be a very fitting close to the festival.”

Boyle added: “I am honoured and delighted that 127 Hours has been selected to close the BFI London Film Festival.  LFF played a vital role in the journey of Slumdog Millionaire in 2008 and it’s great to be bringing new work here and renewing a happy partnership. I can’t wait to unveil the new film and I hope it provides a worthy climax to what will hopefully be two weeks of great movies for our city.”

The full LFF programme will be announced on Sept 8. As previously reported, the festival opens on Oct 13 with Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go.