Robert Zemeckis’ 3-D drama ‘The Walk’ to open New York Film Festival in September

NEW YORK, N.Y. – For the second time, the New York Film Festival will open in 3-D.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced Thursday that Robert Zemeckis’ “The Walk” will premiere as the opening night selection of the 53rd annual New York Film Festival. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who walked between the two World Trade Center towers in 1974.

Another 3-D drama, Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi,” kicked off the festival in 2012.

Zemeckis’ highly anticipated film will premiere at New York’s Alice Tully Hall on Sept. 25 before opening in theatres Oct. 2.

Kent Jones, festival director, said “The Walk” plays “like a classic heist movie” and also offers “an astonishing recreation of Lower Manhattan in the ’70s.”