EnglandGeorge Clooney will add his glamorous charm to this year’s British Film Institute Film Festival, which runs Oct. 12-27 throughout London.

Clooney will be in the spotlight not only as an actor (for “The Descendants”), but also as director (for his political thriller “The Ides of March”).

The festival celebrates international filmmaking by both established and new talent. This year’s event features 204 feature films and 110 shorts, with a special focus on French films. In addition to film showings, there will be panel discussions, interviews and classes with film writers, composers and cinematographers.

For tickets and the schedule of film showings and other festival events, go to www.bfi.org.uk.