Conor McPherson’s supernatural drama The Eclipse, a hit with its world premiere in Tribeca, will be the opening night gala film of the 2009 Los Angeles Irish Film Festival.

The festival runs September 23-27.

The Eclipse gets its west coast premiere at the Linwood Dunn Theater at the AMPAS Pickford Center. A reception hosted by the Irish Film Board will follow.

Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson directs the story of a widower who gets caught in an unusual love triangle. The cast features Ciaran Hinds, Aidan Quinn and Iben Hjejle. Magnolia Pictures has worldwide rights and plans a 2010 theatrical release in the US.

The rest of LAIFF’s screenings will take place at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica’s American Cinematheque. The full line-up will be announced later.

“We wanted to find an exceptional film to open our second edition and we got our wish with the west coast premiere of The Eclipse from the talented Conor McPherson,” said festival director Lisa McLaughlin-Strassman.

Eamonn Bowles, President of Magnolia Pictures, added: “We are very happy to be screening The Eclipse in the Los Angeles Irish Film Festival. It marks a high point for recent Irish cinema and it is an honor to be chosen to launch the second year of the festival with this film.”