The ninth doctor has been announced as the opening guest at the Norwich Film Festival 2018.

Christopher Eccleston will present Danny Boyle's 1994 film Shallow Grave which he starred as accountant David Stevens in.

The event will take place at The Open on Tuesday November 6 at 7pm and will be followed by a Q&A session hosted by Peter Bradshaw, chief film critic at The Guardian.

Eccleston's acting career has spanned 30 years and also includes films 28 Days Later, Thor: The Dark World and Where Hands Touch.

But his best known role was as time-travelling alien Doctor Who in series one of the sci-fi drama's revival alongside Billie Piper.

Norwich Film Festival, which is supported by Norwich BID and the BFI Film Audience Network, is back for the eighth time with over 120 films from November 6 to 18 in venues across the city.

This year's official selection of 94 short films features standout talent with Sally Phillips in horror Blood Shed, Stephen Graham in Being Keegan and another Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill In Wonderland.

A Women In Film screening will also place a spotlight on female directors to draw attention to the need to increase gender parity in the film industry.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know ahead of Porkstock 2018The Film Festival will be welcoming famous talent including actor and director Vanessa Redgrave, who will be attending a screening of her migrant crisis documentary Sea Sorrow, and an In Conversation with Olivier-winning and BAFTA nominated Actor Juliet Stevenson whose credits include Truly Madly Deeply and Bend it like Beckham.

Matt Ecclestone, festival producer, said; 'It's great to be able to bring iconic acting talent and award-winning filmmakers to celebrate their career successes during the festival.

'Our Industry Day will bring talented professionals together to share their experiences and their views on topics including diversity

and inclusion within the industry.'

Events are taking place in the following venues: The Forum, OPEN, The Assembly House, Norwich University of the Arts, Cinema City, The Garage and The Hostry at Norwich Cathedral.

For the full programme and for tickets visit the Norwich Film Festival 2018 website.