We are so excited to announce the films that will be featured in the festival’s Young Americans, New Auteurs and Spotlight sections at the 25th edition this November. Young Americans features work by emerging U.S. filmmakers, while New Auteurs highlights first and second-time feature film directors from around the world. This year’s Spotlight section focuses on acclaimed independent American filmmaker Joe Swanberg, featuring presentations of films from his Full Moon Trilogy – SILVER BULLETS, ART HISTORY and the world premiere of THE ZONE. Swanberg’s intimate storytelling process centers on the intersection of art and life, and he has worked with a number of the actors and filmmakers featured in Young Americans…

We are thrilled to announce our Opening Night Gala will be the World Premiere of J. EDGAR, directed by Clint Eastwood! The 25th Edition of AFI FEST will kick off on November 3. J. EDGAR stars Leonardo DiCaprio…

We are very excited to announce that director Pedro Almodóvar will be our Guest Artistic Director for this year’s AFI FEST.

Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s feature film debut, EASIER WITH PRACTICE starring Brian Geraghty, is now out on DVD.

Tom Ford’s directorial debut A SINGLE MAN is now available on DVD. This film was the Closing night gala of AFI FEST 2009.
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Now available on DVD, THE ROAD an official selection at AFI FEST 2009.  You can add it to your Netflix queue here. (via Cinematical)
Also now available on DVD is THE MESSENGER.  This Academy Award nominated film was also an official selection at AFI FEST 2009.  You can purchase the DVD here. (via Hammer to Nail)

AFI FEST Renews Commitment to Community with Free Tickets

Los Angeles’ Longest Running International Film Festival
Also Announces New Award & Section for Filmmakers

AFI FEST presented by Audi officially announced its dates and call for entries today for the 24th annual event.  AFI FEST will be held November 4 through 11, 2010 in Hollywood, California at the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Mann Chinese 6 at the Hollywood & Highland Center, and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.  The market partner of AFI FEST, the American Film Market (AFM), will be held November 3-10, 2010. …

Available this week on DVD are two films from AFI FEST 2009.
Via Cinematical comes news that Werner Haerzog’s BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS is now available, you can get the film from Amazon here.
Via Gordon and the Whale comes news that Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s EASIER WITH PRACTICE is also now available on DVD, you can find that film on Amazon here.

Congratulations to THE SECRET IN THIER EYES for winning Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards.
The film was an Official Selection at AFI FEST 2009.

IFC Films has announced that it has acquired the US distribution rights to the film NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THE PERSIAN CATS.
The film was an Official Selection at AFI FEST 2009.
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