Tim Burton’s Disney animation will go live from Odeon Leicester Square to BFI Imax and 30 screens across the UK; Tim Burton, cast and producers expected to attend.
The 56th BFI London Film Festival will open on Wednesday October 10th with Tim Burton’s animation Frankenweenie.
In a first for the festival, the opening night screening and red carpet will go live from Odeon Leicester Square to BFI Imax and 30 screens across the UK.
Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Landau, producer Allison Abbate and executive producer Don Hahn are expected to attend the festival.
The black and white, stop-motion animated film in 3D is Clare Stewart’s first opening night selection as head of the LFF. It is also Burton’s first animation for Disney.
The film follows a young boy who conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, leading to unforeseen, and occasionally monstrous, consequences.
Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell and Winona Ryder are among the voice cast.
The festival will also host The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition from October 17-21. The free exhibition charts the making of the film, the stop-motion animation process and include props and art work.
Clare Stewart, BFI head of exhibition said: “Funny, dark and whimsical, this gloriously crafted stop-motion 3D animation from Tim Burton – the reigning prince of outsiders – playfully turns the Frankenstein story on its bolted-on head. Frankenweenie is a perfect choice of opener – it’s a film that revels in the magic of movies from one of cinema’s great visionaries.
“Tim Burton has chosen London as his home city and hundreds of talented British craftspeople have contributed to this production. To host the European Premiere, to present TheArt of Frankenweenie Exhibition and to take our opening night out to 30 screens means we are making the festival even more accessible for film fans across the UK.”
Producer Allison Abbate added: “I am delighted that Frankenweenie, which was produced here in London at 3 Mills Studios, will be opening the 56th BFI London Film Festival. Living and working in the UK, I’ve been able to collaborate with some of the most talented artists in the industry including the puppet designers and fabricators from Manchester-based Mackinnon & Saunders.
“In the last nine years, I’ve attended the festival as both a filmmaker and guest, and I know how passionate and enthusiastic the audiences are, so I am thrilled to share the film’s European Premiere with them,” she continued.
The full programme for the LFF will be announced on Wednesday 5 September.
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