Dunst co-stars with Orlando Bloom in Elizabethtown

The festival line-up comprises more than 180 feature films, including new work from directors Cameron Crowe, Steven Soderbergh and Lars Von Trier.

The annual event opens with John Le Carre's thriller The Constant Gardener, starring Ralph Fiennes, on 19 October.

George Clooney's Good Night, and Good Luck will close the gala on 3 November.

Both films were contenders for the Golden Lion at the recent Venice Film Festival, alongside Takeshi Kitano's Takeshi's, Philippe Garrel's Les Amants Reguliers and Gilliam's The Brothers Grimm - all showing in London.

Walk the Line follows Johnny Cash and June Carter's blossoming love affair

Crowe's Elizabethtown, Soderbergh's Bubble and Lars Von Trier's Manderlay will all receive their UK premieres.

Gala screenings at the two-week film festival will include James Mangold's Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and hit French documentary The March of the Penguins.

Celebrating diversity

Separate Lies, the directorial debut from Gosford Park screenwriter Julian Fellowes gets its UK premiere at the Mayor of London gala screening, with actor Tom Wilkinson on hand to introduce the event.

"We are looking forward to welcoming film-makers and audiences to an exciting programme of screenings and events which celebrate diversity and creativity from around the world," said festival artistic director Sandra Hebron.

Awards presented on closing night include the Sunderland Trophy for most imaginative first feature and the UK Film Talent Award - which recognises emerging British writers, directors and producers.

There will also be an inaugural award to recognise the best documentary feature, to be presented on 1 November.