Sorkin-Penned 'The Social Network' to Open New York Film Festival 9/24

The New York Film Festival has announced that this year's festival will open with 'The Social Network,' written by Aaron Sorkin (THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION, A FEW GOOD MEN) and directed by David Fincher.  The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake. 'The Social Network' focuses on Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook.

Mara Manus, the executive director of The Film Society of Lincoln Center, said "Our mission is to bring our audience films that entertain, spark a dialogue, and speak to the moment. That is the best of what film can do, and it is why The Social Network is the perfect choice to kick off this year's New York Film Festival. David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin have focused their lenses on a story of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal, with a multifaceted character at the center who is as complex as he is clever. This is just the kind of film that our audience wants to see and we're thrilled to be hosting the world premiere."

'The Social Network' will open the Festival on September 24; the Festival will run until October 10.  'The Social Network' will be released on October 1.

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Julie Taymor's new film adaptation of THE TEMPEST, with stars Helen Mirren (Prospera), Alfred Molina (Stephano), Ben Whishaw (Ariel), FeliciTy Jones (Miranda), Russell Brand (Trinculo), Djimon Hounsou (Caliban), Alan Cumming (Sebastian), Chris Cooper (Antonio), and David Strathairn (Alonso), will  be the main attraction at this year's New York Film Festival, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in October. The film will get a special screening on October 2, 2010 at Alice Tully Hall. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film, being produced by Bob Chartoff, Lynn Hendee and Julia Taylor-Stanley, is seeking a November start date in Hawaii. Miramax has acquired the rights to all English-speaking territories; Icon is handling foreign sales.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.