Martin Scorsese's big-budget mafia epic The Irishman will premiere as the opening night film at the 57th New York Film Festival.

The selection, with the premiere set for September 27, gives Scorsese a hometown launch for one of his most anticipated films.

The Irishman is Scorsese's $US125 million Netflix film about the reflections of a former Jimmy Hoffa associate and hit man.

Its genre and cast - in...