Tim Burton's Frankenweenie opens London film festival

Tim Burton 's Frankenweenie, the black-and-white, stop-motion animated tale of a boy who brings his beloved pet dog back to life with monstrous consequences, is to open this year's London film festival. Burton's first animated film for studio Disney as a director, Frankenweenie centres on the disastrous decision by little Victor Frankenstein to revive his dead dog Sparky using the power of science. When his home-sewn creation gets out, fellow students, teachers and the entire town soon have to deal with the fallout. The film, which will have its European premiere at the festival on 10 October, is an homage and tribute to the 1931 horror classic Frankenstein . The voice cast includes Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer and Robert Capron. "Funny, dark and whimsical, this gloriously crafted stop-motion 3D animation from Tim Burton – the reigning prince of outsiders – playfully turns the Frankenstein story on its bolted-on head," said Clare Stewart, BFI head of exhibition, who has taken the reins at the festival. "Frankenweenie is a perfect choice of opener – it's a film that revels in the magic of movies from one of cinema's great visionaries. Tim Burton has chosen London as his home city and hundreds of talented British craftspeople have contributed to this production." The European premiere will also be beamed to the BFI IMAX and 30 screens across the UK. The festival is presenting an accompanying exhibition titled The Art of Frankenweenie from 17–21 October. The festival itself runs from 10 October – 21 October.