Andrea Arnold’s film was filmed on location in Yorkshire and stars Leeds local James Howson as Heathcliffe.

Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights adaptation has been announced as the opening film for the 25th Leeds International Film Festival, being screened to 1000 audience members in Leeds Town Hall. 

The film, which recently was awarded Best Cinematography at the 68th venice Film Festival, was filmed on-location in Yorkshire, and stars Leeds local James Howson in his major film-role as Heathcliffe, in director Arnold’s latest film since 2009’s Fish Tank.

Chris Fell, director of Leeds International Film Festival, said: “I’m delighted that the 25th Leeds International Film Festival will open with one of the most talked-about British films of the year, and one with strong associations with the Yorkshire region. Andrea Arnold’s raw interpretation of Wuthering Heights is a powerful experience and like none that has come before. The Opening Gala night at Leeds is our most high-profile event and we wanted to give this outstanding film the headline attention it deserves.”

LIFF25 will run for 18 days from the 3rd November, across a number of venues in the city. Nine films by first-time directors struggling to find distribution have been announced as the first in the line-up for the Golden Owl Competition, part of the Official Selection at Leeds. The films, originating from across the globe, will all have their UK Premieres at the festival.

The Leeds International Film Festival is funded by Leeds City Council, MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the British Film Institute, and Screen Yorkshire.

The full programme will be unveiled on October 7.

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