Guillermo del Toro has been named guest director at the Los Angeles Film Festival and will select a film to present that has been an influence on his work, followed by an on-stage interview.

“Guillermo del Toro is one of the most visionary directors of our time,” festival director Rebecca Yeldham said. “It’s an honour to welcome Guillermo back to our festival as this year’s guest director and to unite our audiences with this extraordinary, consummate artist.”

The North American premiere of Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark - produced by del Toro - will close the festival on Jun 26. FilmDistrict is set to release in the US on Aug 26.

Yeldham and her team also unveiled the festival will stage a special screening of Warner Bros’ Green Lantern on Jun 16 one day before the official release.

Gala screenings include Summit Entertainment’s world premiere of A Better Life directed by Chris Weitz, FilmDistrict’s North American premiere of Drive - screening in competition in Cannes - and onstage discussions with James Franco and Julie Taymor.

The festival is scheduled to run from Jun 16-26.