Universal Pictures present Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon.

David Gest and Universal Pictures today announced they will co-host a special all-star event to celebrate the world premiere of Gest’s new film Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon.

Gest and Michael Jackson began their friendship in 1969 and more than thirty years later the two formed a successful business venture, World Events LLC. Now Gest has pieced together the most important facts about Jackson’s life based on unseen first-hand accounts he recorded during the last 15 months with many of Michael’s family members, friends and close associates who knew the star well.

Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon will have its premiere in London on Wednesday November 2^nd at the Empire Leicester Square. The film will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 31 October 2011. In attendance will be Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine, brother Tito, sister Rebbie, David Gest and the film’s director Andrew Eastel.

Gest, says: “There is going to be a jam at the after-party following the premiere and more than twenty legendary artists who appear in the film will take part. I am thrilled because so many of today’s contemporary artists who are friends of mine are really looking forward to performing with these legends. This party is going to be historic!”

Attending the event will be more than one hundred celebrities including many of the music industry’s top recording artists, motion picture and television stars, sporting legends and other well-known personalities.

In addition to the a-listers Universal Pictures have plans to enable Michael Jackson fans from all over the world to have an opportunity to win tickets to attend this event. They will be able to join celebrity guests on the red carpet, view the film and have a chance to be selected to pose a question during an audience Q&A.

Michael’s mother Katherine says of the movie: “‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’ is a truly remarkable film that captures the true character, wit and sensitivity of my son. Producer David Gest takes you on an emotional roller coaster that will bring people to tears as well as really understand who the man behind the music was and is.”

Celebrities lined up to appear at the event including Peabo Bryson, Deniece Williams, Kim Weston, Martha Reeves and Jimmy Ruffin.

Tito Jackson says of the guest list: “this is going to be like a 60’s, 70’s and 80’s soulfest with so many legends gathered in one place in honour of my brother. Michael loved soul music and grew up on it and my mother, sister and I are really excited to hear and see all these great performers in one room. It is going to bring back a lot of wonderful memories!”

‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’ is described by Universal Pictures as ‘a powerful behind-the-scenes account of the star’s life, providing fresh insight into his early years with the Jackson 5, his rise to global solo-stardom through to the final moments of his sudden death in 2009 featuring exclusive interviews with Katherine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Smokey Robinson, David Gest, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Paul Anka, Michael’s manager, the late Frank DiLeo in his last interview, Valerie Simpson and her husband, the late Nick Ashford in his last interview, Petula Clark, Mickey Rooney, legendary record producers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, the songwriting team of Brian Holland-Lamont Dozier-Eddie Holland and more than 50 friends, peers and associates share intimate and fascinating stories about the singer’s celebrated life.’

Directed by Andrew Eastel and produced by Michael Jackson’s childhood best friend David Gest the movie is to be released on DVD and Blu-ray™ on Monday 31 October 2011 from Universal Pictures International Home Entertainment, the film will feature performance footage as well as never-before-seen family photography.