The American Film Institute (AFI) has revealed details for its annual AFI Fest taking place October 23-27 in Los Angeles. This year’s festival features a diverse selection of films from around the world, including several prominent premieres. Several high-profile directors and actors are also scheduled to attend the event.
The festival will open with the world debut of “Music by John Williams,” a documentary by Laurent Bouzereau honoring the legendary composer. It will close with another premiere – Clint Eastwood’s new legal thriller “Juror #2” starring Nicholas Hoult. In between, festivalgoers can see the world premiere of “Here,” a reunion between director Robert Zemeckis and his “Forrest Gump” stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. Zemeckis will also sit down with Hanks for a career retrospective discussion.
Festival director Todd Hitchcock emphasized AFI Fest’s goal of “bringing the best in film from around the world to Los Angeles.” Half of the selected films were directed by women or non-binary filmmakers. A quarter of selections feature works from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color creators. Four movies will have their global premieres, while six will debut in North America and seven in the United States.
Highlights include documentaries on abortion rights like “Zurawski v Texas” and Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” starring Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas. Featured international films also address events like the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis in “September 5.” Nine international Oscar submissions will screen, including entries from Brazil and Canada. David Cronenberg, Paul Schrader, and Alex Ross Perry will also present new projects.
Both established directors like Mike Leigh and Jia Zhang-ke plus newcomers like Rachel Morrison, whose debut feature “The Fire Inside” was written by Barry Jenkins, will showcase their works. Under Hitchcock’s second year of leadership, AFI Fest continues blending premieres from top festivals with an eye to celebrating global cinema for Los Angeles audiences. Passes go on sale in early October with individual tickets following soon after. The weeklong festival promises cinematic discoveries and honors in the heart of Hollywood.
