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The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today that Spike Jonze’s “Her” will close the 51st New York Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 13. “Her” is Jonze’s first film since 2009’s “Where the Wild Things Are” and his first original screenplay.  

In a statement release by FSLC, Jonze noted, “”I”m very excited that it”s a premiere in the city. The New York Film Festival is where we premiered our first movie and that”s really special. It was our first U.S. premiere of ‘Being John Malkovich’ and we had all our friends there and it feels so nice to come back to NYFF.”

Rose Kuo, the Executive Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, added, “In dealing with tragi-comic puppeteers, renegade orchid growers, an island of wild things, or a man’s unique love affair, visionary film-maker Spike Jonze has shown himself to be the poet-laureate of our increasingly post-human world. Jonze”s extraordinary new film, ‘Her,’ features Joaquin Phoenix who delivers an unforgettable, emotionally nuanced performance. We are delighted to feature ‘Her’ as the Closing Night gala presentation of the 51st New York Film Festival.”

Set in a near future Los Angeles, Phoenix plays a heartbroken man who succumbs to the charms of a seemingly sentient operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson. The Warner Bros. film also Amy Adams and Rooney Mara and is scheduled for a limited release on Nov. 20.

“Her” is the bookend to what has become a highly anticipated triumvirate of premieres for NYFF this year.  Paul Greengrass’ “Captain Phillips” will open the festival and Ben Stiller’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” will be the festival’s Centerpiece Gala selection.

For those paying attention at home, this means the only potential awards season players that will not have screened by Oct. 18 include “American Hustle,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Monuments Men,” “The Book Thief,” “Grace of Monaco” and “Diana.” It’s a safe bet that Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” could sneak at NYFF, but if not, you can add it to this list. Additionally, this list could shorten or lengthen with Telluride’s premiere schedule unconfirmed and there is more than enough time for TIFF to add to its already buzz worthy lineup.

The 51st New York Film Festival runs Sept. 27 – Oct. 13.