The 44th edition of the New York Film Festival opens on a royal note with the North American premiere of THE QUEEN, the latest film from UK director Stephen Frears (DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, THE SNAPPER, HIGH FIDELITY, MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE).

The film stars Oscar nominee Helen Mirren in a tour-de-force performance as Queen Elizabeth II. Also featured are James Cromwell as Prince Phillip, Michael Sheen as Tony Blair and Sylvia Syms as the Queen Mother, in a revealing and often acidly funny portrait of the British royal family during the dramatic days after the death of Princess Diana. The film is produced by New York-based veteran Scott Rudin (THE HOURS) and is set to be released this Fall by Miramax Films.

“We're delighted to welcome Stephen Frears, Miramax Films and Scott Rudin back to the New York Film Festival,