31st Leeds International Film Festival begins with an Opening Film for each of its three strands dedicated to new feature films: Official Selection, Cinema Versa and Fanomenon. These selections give you the perfect chance to get a taste of what you'll find throughout these festival categories, as we present you with some of the most anticipated world cinema of 2017 in Official Selection, remarkable documentaries in Cinema Versa, and fantasy cinema in Fanomenon.

The Square - Official Selection

Swedish provocateur Ruben Östlund’s The Square, a startling satire of the art world, was the most talked about film at Cannes this year and went on to win the main prize of the jury led by Pedro Almodóvar. On the verge of opening a major new exhibition called The Square, museum curator Christian (Claes Bang) faces a series of troubles, including a backfiring PR campaign, an awkward fling with a journalist (Elisabeth Moss), and a performance centrepiece gone horribly wrong. When Christian is mugged for his phone he goes over the edge and takes his museum with him.

Wednesday 1 November, 7pm. Victoria Hall, Leeds Town Hall
Tickets | Trailer


Jane - Cinema Versa

Academy Award–nominated director Brett Morgen (Montage of Heck), one of the finest stylists working in documentary film, has crafted this wonderfully poetic look at primatologist and animal rights activist Jane Goodall. A beautiful and captivating work which utilises National Geographic footage of Goodall when she was newly arrived in Gombe National Park in Tanzania some fifty years ago, Goodall leads Morgen through her extraordinary life and work. Propelled by an epic score courtesy of Philip Glass, this is a breathtaking and comprehensive portrait of a truly inspiring subject.

Thursday 2 November, 6pm. Vue at The Light
Tickets | Trailer


The Killing of a Sacred Deer - Fanomenon

The eagerly awaited psychological thriller reunites director Yorgos Lanthimos with The Lobster star Colin Farrell in this darkly comic tale of guilt and retribution based on a Greek tragedy by Euripides. Steven (Farrell) is a successful surgeon who develops a paternal friendship with oddball teenager Martin (Barry Keoghan). Over time Steven introduces Martin to his charming wife Anna (Nicole Kidman) and two teenage children. As the boy tries to integrate into the family his actions become increasingly strange and sinister, and Steven is forced to do the unthinkable before his family is torn apart.

Thursday 2 November, 8.30pm. Victoria Hall, Leeds Town Hall
Tickets | Trailer