'Nowhere Boy' to close London Film Festival

John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy will gets its world premiere on the closing night of the 53rd BFI London Film Festival.

The movie, directed by artist Sam Taylor-Wood, stars Aaron Johnson as the iconic musician in his early years. Control's Matt Greenhalgh penned the script based on Imagine This, the memoir by Lennon's half-sister Julia Baird.

Kristin Scott Thomas plays Lennon's Aunt Mimi, Anne-Marie Duff his mother Julia, Thomas Brodie Sangster the young Paul McCartney and Sam Bell is George Harrison. David Morrissey and David Threlfall are also among the cast.

"For the past year I have lived and breathed this film," said Taylor-Wood. "It's been one of the most transforming experiences of my life. For Nowhere Boy to be chosen to close the London Film Festival, in a city I grew up in and which continues to inspire me, is truly amazing."

The festival's artistic director Sandra Hebron commented: "We're delighted to be closing our festival with the world premiere of this first feature by Sam Taylor-Wood, who brings her customary sensitivity and visual flair to this story of the formative years of one of the UK's cultural icons.

"Less a biopic and more a love-story, Nowhere Boy is as accomplished as it is moving, and will ensure the festival ends on a high note."

The London Film Festival runs from October 14 to 29. Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox will open the event.