'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' will get a presidential screening this week.

United States leader Barack Obama, who enjoys a friendship with the film's subject Nelson Mandela, will host a special screening of the new biopic at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday (07.11.13), with stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris in attendance.

The A-list screening will also be attended by Mandela's daughters Zindzi and Zenani Mandela.

The film's producer Harvey Weinstein said: ''Knowing what a strong relationship President Obama has with President Mandela, it's an honour for this film to be shown at the White House.''

The presidential screening of the film gives it good steam heading into the awards season, where 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' is highly tipped to be an Oscar contender.

Last year, the White House held a special screening of Steven Spielberg's biopic, 'Lincoln', about the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

The new movie received a premiere in Mandela's native South Africa over the weekend, which was attended by his former wife Winnie.

'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' will also have a royal premiere in Britain on December 5 as it has been selected as this year's royal film performance. Members of the British monarchy are expected to walk the red carpet along with Elba in London's Leicester Square.