The 54th BFI London Film Festival will open on Wednesday October 13 with the European premiere of Never Let Me Go, directed by Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo), based on bestselling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro and adapted for the screen by Alex Garland (Sunshine, 28 Days Later).

The stars of the film are expected to attend the opening night screening, including Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement), Carey Mulligan (An Education) and Andrew Garfield (Boy A, Red Riding).

Never Let Me Go is a story of love, loss and hidden truths. Kathy (Mulligan), Tommy (Garfield) and Ruth (Knightley) spend their childhood at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic English boarding school where they discover a dark and haunting secret about their future. As they leave the shelter of the school behind and draw inexorably closer to the devastating fate that awaits them as adults, they must also confront the deep feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to pull them apart. 20th Century Fox will release the film in the UK on 14 January 2011.

Sandra Hebron, the festival’s artistic director, said: “'It is a great pleasure to be able to open the festival with a film as accomplished and imaginative as Never Let Me Go. It combines impeccable film-making, outstanding performances and a deeply moving story, and I couldn't wish for a stronger or more appropriate opening night.”

The full programme for the 2010 London Film Festival, which runs from 13-28 October will be announced on Wednesday 8 September.