'Senna' director Asif Kapadia commissioned for London 2012 Festival

The film programme for The London 2012 Festival was announced today.

The festival is a 12-week UK-wide cultural celebration, bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

Hackney-born BAFTA winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Senna, The Warrior, Far North) has been commissioned for the Festival as part of the BBC Films and Film4 co-commission of four short films that showcase UK filmmaking talent.

Speaking about his involvement in the festival, Kapadia said: 'As a Hackney boy I'm delighted to have an opportunity to contribute to the London 2012 Festival and be part of the cultural celebrations taking place for the London Games.

"My film will explore the relationship between London and the Games, and I look forward to it receiving its London premiere in the heart of East London this June at the Hackney Picturehouse."

The Senna director's new film, titled The Odyssey, will join A Running Jump by Mike Leigh, The Swimmer by Lynne Ramsay and What If, directed by Streetdance directing duo Max Giwa & Dania Pasquini as part of the commission.

Tessa Ross, head of Film4, said: 'It's exciting for the two public service broadcasters to be working in this way to co-commission, alongside the cultural Olympiad, some special pieces of work around the Olympics.

"We are delighted to be announcing that Asif is joining Mike, Lynne, Max and Dania to direct the final one of these four shorts, in a lineup that represents the tremendous variety and wealth of distinctive talent working in British filmmaking today.'

The films will receive their world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 24 and their London premiere at the Hackney Picturehouse on June 25, with a live simulcast to around 50 cinemas across the UK thanks to a partnership with Picturehouse cinemas.

The films will also be screened on the BBC and Channel 4 during the London 2012 Festival period.

Ruth Mackenzie, director of The London 2012 Festival, said: "The film programme for the London 2012 Festival not only showcases the UK's leading talent but importantly, when the eyes of the world are on us, gives a platform for young and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work on a world stage."

Speaking about the London 2012 Festival, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey commented: "Our brilliant film industry lies at the very heart of the UK's cultural landscape and it is fitting that the London 2012 Festival is celebrating our fantastic cinematic achievements with this exciting film programme."

> Read Digital Spy's interview with Asif Kapadia