Andy Serkis' directorial debut 'Breathe' will open the October event.


The 61st edition of the BFI London Film Festival has revealed its second film.
With the opening-night curtain raiser already announced as Andy Serkis' directorial debut Breathe, organizers have now unveiled Battle of the Sexes as the festival's American Express Gala, with the film having its European premiere on Oct. 7 in London's Odeon Leicester Square theater.
The film – which is world premiering in Toronto in September – tells the story behind the famed 1973 tennis match between women's world champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men's champion and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). Stone, plus co-stars Andrea Riseborough and Elisabeth Shue, directors Valeria Faris and Jonathan Dayton and even King herself are expected to attend the London screening.
Battle of the Sexes is produced by Cloud Eight Films’ Christian Colson and Decibel Films’ Danny Boyle, the team behind Oscar-winning and nominated films such as Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours and Steve Jobs. Also producing is Robert Graf, who has previously collaborated with the directors on Ruby Sparks and has produced such projects as Hail, Caesar and No Country for Old Men.
The full lineup for the London Film Festival – which runs Oct. 4-Oct. 15 – will be revealed on Aug. 31.

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