Hollywood stars including Denzel Washington and Dustin Hoffman are among the big names lined up to appear at the Toronto Film Festival, organisers have announced.

Films from 50 countries will be shown at the event, which is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

Sir Michael Caine stars in a new version of The Quiet American

Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, John Cusack and Ralph Fiennes are also expected to grace the red carpet during the 10-day extravaganza, which starts on 5 September.

As well as films from the United States, there will be a strong showing of French, Russian and South Korean productions.

"It's truly one of the strongest years that we've put together at the festival," the festival's director Piers Handling said.

But the hectic schedule of screenings and press conferences will be put on hold on 11 September to mark the anniversary of the attacks on the US.

Many key Hollywood players watched events unfold from the festival last year, when the event reached a low-key conclusion, with some directors declaring that movies would never be the same again.

We're showing... the richness of diversity and different cultures grappling with common issues

Piers Handling Toronto Film Festival

This year's line-up includes 24 star Kiefer Sutherland making his big screen comeback in Phone Booth, in which he is reunited with The Lost Boys and Flatliners director Joel Schumacher.

The world premi�re of Dustin Hoffman's family drama Moonlight Mile, which sees him star with Susan Sarandon and Holly Hunter, will be shown, as will the premi�re of The Quiet American, a new screen version of the Graham Greene novel starring Sir Michael Caine.

Oscar-winner Denzel Washington's first foray into film directing, The Antwone Fisher Story, a true story about a sailor who went on to become a Hollywood screenwriter, is also in the line-up.

Martin Scorsese will be honoured at the Marrakesh Film Festival

South Korean film will be the focus of a special series of screenings, while the Russian presence has surprised many, with five films on the bill.

"We're showing... the richness of diversity and different cultures grappling with common issues," Mr Handling said.

Meanwhile, directors David Lynch, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese will receive special awards at the Marrakesh Film Festival, also in September.

Goodfellas and Taxi Driver director Scorsese will be honoured with Morocco's highest distinction, the title of Commander of the Order of Ouissem Alaouite, from the country's King Mohammed VI.

Awards will also be bestowed on Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who acted in and produced recent hit Lagaan, and Sanjay Leela Dhansali, who wrote and directed box office record-breaker Devdas.