George Clooney is set to make a trio of appearances at this year's London Film Festival, heading a cavalcade of stars pouring into the capital.

He will introduce the opening night film, Fantastic Mr Fox, and the second night gala, The Men Who Stare at Goats, based on Jon Ronson's bestselling book on the US military. He may also tread the red carpet for the third of his latest
ventures, Up In The Air, a comedy about corporate America.

Star turn: George Clooney attend this year's London Film Festival

He will be joined by performers including Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Emma Thompson, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper and Olivia Williams
in a programme of nearly 200 films from 46 different countries, including 15 world premieres.

International directors including Ang Lee, Steven Soderbergh, Atom Egoyan and Jane Campion will present their latest work with many also taking part in talks and masterclasses.

Sandra Hebron, the festival's director, said: “Anyone who is interested in seeing films from some of the world's most significant film-makers will find much reward in this year's programme.”

On 22 October Trafalgar Square will host a free night of short films on the theme of London transport, including footage from 1896 of Victorian ladies cycling in Hyde Park and a 1924 film about a horse-towed barge on the Regent's Canal.

The main festival will present a newly-restored print of a 1928 silent drama, Underground, about love and murder on the Northern Line, with a new live score.

Emerging talent will include the actor David Morrissey showing his first film as a director, a boy-meets-girl movie called Don't Worry About Me.

Speaking at today's launch, he said: “I've been to events like this as an actor many times, but it was a very different feeling as a film-maker, seeing something that has been a labour of love
trailed with all these great films by people like the Coen brothers. I'm very proud it's being shown in this prestigious festival.”

Other films include London River, a drama starring Brenda Blethyn set against the July 2005 bombings.

The 20th anniversary of Wallace and Gromit's television debut will be marked with a screening of a digitally remastered version of A Grand Day Out.

The 53rd London Film Festival, organised by the British Film Institute, runs from 14 to 29 October.