"Life of Pi" to open New York Film Festival

It was announced that the first 3D creation from the "Brokeback Mountain" helmer will be screened on September 28 to mark the beginning of this year's New York Film Festival, reported Aceshowbiz.

"Life of Pi" would be Lee's second movie to screen at the festival after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" served as the Closing Night Gala presentation twelve years ago.

The screening would also mark the first time a feature film being presented in 3D format for NYFF's Opening Night Gala.

"'Life of Pi' is a perfect combination of technological innovation and a strong artistic vision. Ang Lee has managed to make a deeply moving, engrossing work that will delight audiences as much as it will astonish them. We're enormously proud to have this film for our Opening Night for the 50th NYFF," said Richard Pena, Selection Committee Chair & Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Director Lee himself gushed that he was honored to have his movie chosen as the opener.

"I am both delighted and honored to be back at the New York Film Festival with 'Life of Pi'. I am also excited because this is my hometown, and to be unveiling this film that I am so proud of here is a real pleasure," he said.