AFI FEST 2016 Presented By Audi Unveils Key Programming Sections Featuring New And Returning Filmmakers

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Wednesday, 19 October 2016 06:55

Written by AFI

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the films that will be featured in the New Auteurs, Shorts, American Independents and Midnight sections at AFI FEST 2016 presented by Audi. Films in the New Auteurs and Shorts sections are eligible for Grand Jury Awards.

"Emboldening new, emerging voices is the very core of what we do here at AFI FEST," said Lane Kneedler, AFI FEST Director of Programming. "The stunning, remarkably original and provocative selections across this year's lineup speak most directly and urgently to that goal, while also offering the opportunity to advance filmmakers who are returning to the festival."

Highlighting first- and second-time feature film directors, New Auteurs is the festival's platform for upcoming filmmakers from all over the world to showcase their new films. This year, the section is comprised of 10 films, seven of which come from female directors, including two AFI FEST alumnae who've flourished in other sections in previous years — directors Sophia Takal (ALWAYS SHINE) and Sarah Adina Smith (BUSTER'S MAL HEART).

The Shorts selections represent distinct, often far-flung international viewpoints, with 39 films including nine animated films. Shorts filmmakers come from 17 countries, with 12 films from directors who are returning to AFI FEST this year.

The American Independents section represents the best of independent filmmaking this year. Pushing boundaries of form and content across narrative and documentary cinema, this section includes eight films from both new voices and filmmakers coming back to AFI FEST.

The festival's Midnight section will captivate and terrify audiences with three genre-bending films from around the globe.