It will be the European premiere of the film, which stars Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Sir Anthony Hopkins; Meirelles’ The Constant Gardener opened the LFF in 2005.

Fernando Meirelles’ 360, starring Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Anthony Hopkins, is to open the 55th BFI London Film Festival on Oct 12.

Meirelles is no stranger to the LFF, after his The Constant Gardener, also starring Weisz, opened the festival in 2005.

360 will have its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.

Based on an original screenplay by The Queen and Frost/Nixon writer Peter Morgan, 360 is a modern love story linking characters from Vienna, Paris, London, Rio, Bratislava, Denver and Phoenix. It is inspired by the 1900 Arthur Schnitzler play La Ronde.

Jude Law and Rachel Weisz play a married couple — when he makes a decision to remain faithful to her, that sets off a series of consequences. Hopkins plays a man travelling to the US to look for his missing daughter.

The international ensemble cast also includes Ben Foster, Jamel Debbouze, Lucia Siposová, Maria Flor, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Moritz Bleibtreu.

360 is a co-production between the UK’s Revolution Films, Vienna-based Dor Film and France’s Fidelite in assocation with Meirelles’ production company O2 Filmes, with backing from BBC Films, The UK Film Council, ORF, Unison Films, Gravity Pictures, Hero Entertainment, Prescience, EOS Pictures, Wild Bunch, Film Location Austria, Austrian Film Institute and Vienna Film Fund.

Andrew Eaton and David Linde are producing with Emanuel Michael, Danny Krausz, and Chris Hanley.

Title: 360

Producer: Revolution Films, Dor Film, Fidelite, O2 Filmes

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Cast: Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Ben Foster, Jamel Debbouze, Lucia Siposová

LFF artistic director Sandra Hebron, who will be stepping down after this year’s festival, said she was “’delighted that 360 will be our opening-night film, and very pleased to welcome back Fernando Meirelles and Peter Morgan to the Festival.”

“With its impeccable film making credentials and intriguing premise, 360 combines masterful visual story telling with a modern and moving narrative, helped by strong performances from a terrific ensemble cast. It will be a pleasure to open this year’s Festival with such an accomplished film from one of international cinema’s finest film makers,” she added.

Meanwhile director Meirelles said he was “honoured” to be screening his latest film at one of the best festivals in the world due to its selection of films and the number of theatres the films are shown in.”

Christine Langan, head of BBC Films, said it was “great recognition not only for Peter Morgan’s hughly original script and Fernando Meirelles’ masterly direction, but also for a host of brilliant performances from a truly international ensemble cast.”

Speculation is now mounting as to the LFF closing film, with possible contenders including Phyllida Lloyd’s The Iron Lady and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo. The LFF runs until October 27.