Posted: Wed., Oct. 15, 2008, 7:05am PT

Egoyan joins LFF training scheme

Fest launches with 'Frost Nixon' preem

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LONDON — Atom Egoyan will deliver the keynote speech at the five-day Think-Shoot-Distribute training scheme taking place at the Times BFI London Film Festival, which kicks off tonight with the world premiere of Ron Howard’s “Frost/Nixon.”

Expected to attend tonight’s opening gala are cast members Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Frank Langella, Toby Jones, Matthew Macfadyen, Oliver Platt and David Frost himself.

The training program will see 28 emerging producers, screenwriters and directors attend intensive workshops and masterclasses headed up by pros including screenwriter David Nicholls (“And When Did You last See You Father?”) and producers Alan Harris (“Dean Spanley”) and Mia Bays (“Shifty”).

The talent development initiative will take place Oct. 20-24 at swanky member’s club The Hospital.

The LFF runs Oct. 15-30.