AFI FEST 2016 Presented by Audi Unveils Conversations And Presentations Lineup

The American Film Institute (AFI) today announced the Conversations and Presentations lineup for AFI FEST 2016 presented by Audi. Highlights include an AFI Master Class on CITIZEN KANE with Peter Bogdanovich following a 75th anniversary screening.

Academy Award® nominee David O. Russell will be discussing the 20th anniversary of his sophomore feature FLIRTING WITH DISASTER; a panel on THE LOST CITY OF CECIL B. DEMILLE; director Barry Jenkins discussing his groundbreaking MOONLIGHT with cast members of the film; a roundtable of documentary filmmakers including Werner Herzog and Barbara Kopple, presented by the Los Angeles Times; The Hollywood Reporter Indie Contenders Roundtable with nine standout artists; and more.

The complete AFI FEST program includes 118 films (79 features, 39 shorts), representing 46 countries, including 33 films directed/co-directed by women, 11 documentaries and 12 animated short films. The breakdown by section is: Galas/Tributes (6), Special Screenings (8), American Independents (8), New Auteurs (10), World Cinema (33), World Cinema Masters in Conversation (2), Midnight (3), Cinema's Legacy (9) and Short Films (39). This year's program includes nine official Best Foreign Language Film Oscar® submissions, and 20 films featuring 88 AFI alumni.

Additional guests attending AFI FEST 2016 Galas, screenings and events will include Patricia Arquette, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Peter Berg, Jessica Chastain, Damien Chazelle, Robert De Niro, Danny DeVito, Xavier Dolan, Taylor Hackford, Isabelle Huppert, Pablo Larraín, Leslie Mann, Dev Patel, Natalie Portman, M. Night Shyamalan, Fisher Stevens, Emma Stone, Lily Tomlin, Paul Verhoeven, Mark Wahlberg and many more.

CONVERSATIONS

AFI MASTER CLASS: CITIZEN KANE – This 75th anniversary screening of Orson Welles' cinematic masterpiece CITIZEN KANE screens in a restored DCP courtesy of Warner Bros. Classics. Director Peter Bogdanovich (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, PAPER MOON) will discuss this landmark film and its significance in film history.

A CONVERSATION WITH BARRY JENKINS ON MOONLIGHT – In this in-depth, moderated discussion, MOONLIGHT director Barry Jenkins and cast members will talk about this landmark film that traces a young gay African-American man's coming of age in Miami.

A CONVERSATION WITH DAVID O. RUSSELL – Following a 20th anniversary screening of Miramax's FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, Oscar®-nominated director David O. Russell sits down for a lively discussion of the film and his career, with Patricia Arquette and Lily Tomlin in attendance. Presented by IndieWire, I Am Indie and FilmStruck, with a reception to follow sponsored by Miramax.

DOC ROUNDTABLE – At this inaugural event, film critic Justin Chang sits down with a panel of distinguished directors behind some of the most talked-about documentaries of the year. Panelists include Otto Bell (THE EAGLE HUNTRESS), Alex Gibney (ZERO DAYS), Werner Herzog (INTO THE INFERNO), Kirsten Johnson (CAMERAPERSON) Barbara Kopple (MISS SHARON JONES!), Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg (WEINER), Brian Oakes (JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY) and Roger Ross Williams (LIFE, ANIMATED). Presented by Los Angeles Times.

INDIE CONTENDERS ROUNDTABLE – As previously announced, this third annual event provides festivalgoers with the opportunity to hear from a diverse panel of distinguished artists who have achieved standout work this year in independent films. Panelists include Kate Beckinsale (LOVE & FRIENDSHIP), Adam Driver (PATERSON), Sally Field (HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS), Rebecca Hall (CHRISTINE), Margo Martindale (THE HOLLARS), Viggo Mortensen (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC), Ruth Negga (LOVING), Chris Pine (HELL OR HIGH WATER) and Miles Teller (BLEED FOR THIS). Presented by The Hollywood Reporter.

PRESENTATIONS

HARBERS STUDIOS SHORT FILM SHOWCASE: WOMEN IN FOCUS – This showcase features a conversation on short films produced by Harbers Studios, including Janicza Bravo's WOMAN IN DEEP and Academy Award® winner Megan Mylan's TALLER THAN THE TREES.

THE LOST CITY OF CECIL B. DEMILLE – An in-depth panel discussion on the film history behind THE LOST CITY OF CECIL B. DEMILLE, which centers on the unearthing of the film set for one of DeMille's lavish spectaculars — the original THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1923) — that was 30 years in the making. Alongside other panel guests, filmmaker Peter Brosnan talks about his unusual journey that started in 1982 with someone telling him in a bar about Egyptian sphinxes buried in the California desert.

As Previously Announced

The Opening Night Gala will be the World Premiere of RULES DON'T APPLY (DIR Warren Beatty) on Thursday, November 10. Isabelle Huppert will be honored with a Tribute on Sunday, November 13, followed by a Centerpiece Gala screening of ELLE (DIR Paul Verhoeven). JACKIE (DIR Pablo Larraín) will screen as a Centerpiece Gala on Monday, November 14. LA LA LAND (DIR Damien Chazelle) will screen as a Centerpiece Gala on Tuesday, November 15. Annette Bening will be honored with a Tribute on Wednesday, November 16, followed by a Centerpiece Gala screening of 20TH CENTURY WOMEN (DIR Mike Mills). The Special Closing Night Gala Presentation will be PATRIOTS DAY (DIR Peter Berg) on Thursday, November 17.

In addition, the American Independents, Cinema's Legacy, Midnight, New Auteurs, Shorts, World Cinema and World Cinema Masters in Conversation sections have also been announced. More information about these sections is available in the 2016 Film Guide here.

In celebration of the 30th edition of the festival, a trio of diverse female trailblazers are featured in both the festival's 2016 key art and programming lineup. AFI FEST will spotlight Dorothy Dandridge, the first African American nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award®; Ida Lupino, a pioneering director, writer, producer and actress who became the first woman to direct a film noir; and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American actress to rise to international prominence.

AFI FEST takes place November 10–17, 2016, in the heart of Hollywood. Screenings, Galas and other events will be held at the TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and The Hollywood Roosevelt. The full festival lineup and schedule will be unveiled in October.

For the 13th consecutive year, AFI FEST will showcase the very best in global cinema thanks to the visionary support of presenting sponsor Audi.

Patron Packages ensure reserved seats for Gala screenings, and all proceeds benefit the educational programs of the American Film Institute. A limited number of individual tickets to Opening Night and other screenings are also made available at no charge thanks to the event sponsors.  Go to AFI.com now to purchase Patron Packages, which can include access to Galas and other high-demand films and events.  Individual tickets will be available on AFI.com beginning November 1.

As part of their membership benefits, AFI members will receive a complimentary AFI FEST Cinepass, which allows access to all regular screenings and special offers at this year's festival. Additionally, AFI members at the Two-Star level and above receive a 10% discount on all AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes. Information about AFI membership is available at AFI.com/membership.

Audi is the exclusive presenting sponsor of AFI FEST 2016, once again championing innovative filmmakers from around the globe through its steadfast support of the festival and AFI's mission.

Additional top sponsors include AT&T; American Airlines, the official airline of AFI; and VIZIO, the official home theater sponsor of AFI.

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film; AFI AWARDS, honoring the most outstanding movies and TV series of the year; AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilmfacebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute

instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About AFI FEST presented by Audi
A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today's Hollywood — a showcase for the best festival films of the year and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world. Celebrating its 30th edition, AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. This year's edition takes place November 10–17, 2016. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFESTtwitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFI.

About Audi
Audi of America, Inc., and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered over 1,800,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2015, and broke all-time company sales records for the 6th straight year in the U.S. Through 2019, AUDI AG plans to invest about 24 billion euros — 70 percent of the investment will flow into the development of new models and technologies. Visit http://www.audiusa.com or http://www.audiusa.com/newsroom for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

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