The 2013 Brisbane International Film Festival feat. Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, James McAvoy and Brad Pitt [PHOTOS]

The 2013 Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) will start showing 137 films, including 45 Australian premieres, one of which features "The Railway Man," starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. Other Hollywood stars such as James McAvoy and Brad Pitt will also have films featured in the festival. It will run from Nov. 13-24, 2013.

BIFF 2013 will open with "The Railway Man," which was filmed in Ipswich, and the surrounding areas of South-East Queensland, Australia. It was produced by Chris Brown, a leading Gold Coast producer.

According to the 2013 BIFF media release, "The Railway Man," is based on the memoir of Eric Lomax, who was an officer of the former British Army captured during World War II by Japanese troops, and was sent to a camp on the Thai-Burma railway to stay there as a prisoner of war (POW), along with other captives.

BIFF 2013 will close with the film "12 Years a Slave," directed by Steve McQueen and produced by Brad Pitt. It stars Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The story is based on based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup. It is set in Louisiana and is about a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841.

Other noteworthy guests include singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame and "The Exorcist," star Linda Blair. Nicks will be at the BIFF to attend the premiere of the documentary film "In Your Dreams," which is about her 2011 album. Meanwhile, Blair will attend a screening of "The Exorcist," to celebrate its 40^th anniversary since it was first shown in 1973.

Australian director Fred Schepisi will also be at the festival as well as Paul Bradley of Merchant Ivory Productions.

Jennie Hughes, the BIFF Festival Director, has said that the 2013 festival will highlight films that were featured on several international film festivals.

"BIFF's extensive slate includes the winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, "Blue is the Warmest Colour," "All is Lost," which stars Robert Redford and Alex Gibney's 2013 American documentary film "The Armstrong Lie." said Hughes.

"The Grandmaster," by Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai will also premiere on the festival.

Other films such as "The Past," from writer-director, Asghar Farhadi, starring Berenice Bejo, "Filth," directed by Jon S. Baird, starring James McAvoy, "Outrage Beyond," directed by Takeshi Kitano, "Like Father, Like Son," directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu," "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's," "The Darkside," "Patrick," and "Muscle Shoals," will serve as the BIFF curtain raisers. These will be screened from Nov. 11-12, 2013.

The said films will be shown in several venues in Brisbane including the Palace Barracks in Paddington, Palace Centro in Fortitude Valley and Event Cinemas at Myer Central Brisbane CBD). It will also be featured in Dendy Portside and the Northshore Containerval Festival in Hamilton. Aside from these venues, it will also be shown at the Gallery of Modern Art, Library of Queensland and OpenAir Cinema in South Bank.

The 2013 Brisbane International Film Festival is presented by Screen Queensland. Tickets will be available for sale starting 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 at the BIFF Web site, biff.com.au.

Read more about The 2013 BIFF and get tickets to the festival by clicking here.

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