AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi
ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL DATES AND CALL FOR ENTRIES
29th AFI FEST to be held November 5–12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, LOS ANGELES, CA, February 18, 2015 – AFI FEST presented by Audi officially announced its dates and call for entries today. The American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence, AFI FEST brings Hollywood icons, emerging artists and audiences together to experience global cinema in the movie capital of the world. The film festival is the only one of its stature that is free to the public. The 29th edition of AFI FEST will take place in Hollywood, California from November 5 through 12, 2015.
AFI FEST will begin accepting submissions on Monday, March 2 for documentary, experimental, feature, narrative and short films at AFI.com/AFIFEST or through Withoutabox.com. The festival’s early submission deadline for both short films (under 30 minutes) and feature films is Friday, May 1 and the final submission deadline is Friday, July 24. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the Academy Awards®. AFI FEST is the only festival in North America with a market partner, the American Film Market.
The 2014 festival hosted 121 films from around the world, including the world premieres of AMERICAN SNIPER, SELMA and A MOST VIOLENT YEAR. A special Tribute honoring Sophia Loren’s illustrious career was held at the Dolby Theatre with a special screening of the 50th anniversary of her Academy Award®-nominated role in MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE [MATRIMONIO ALL’ITALIANA] (DIR Vittorio De Sica, 1964). Conversations on the craft of acting, with Michael Keaton and Edward Norton, and cinematography, with Roger Deakins, rounded out the programming. Guests at the festival included Steve Carell, J.C. Chandor, Jessica Chastain, Damien Chazelle, Marion Cotillard, Ava DuVernay, Clint Eastwood, Jake Gyllenhaal, Oscar Isaac, Tommy Lee Jones, Julianne Moore, David Oyelowo, Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Stewart, Hilary Swank, Tilda Swinton, Mark Wahlberg and Oprah Winfrey.
AFI FEST 2014 brought filmmakers from all over the world to present their films to the city’s film lovers, including directors Bertrand Bonello (SAINT LAURENT, France); Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne (TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT, Belgium); Xavier Dolan (MOMMY, Canada); Shlomi Elkabetz (GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM, Israel); Abderrahmane Sissako (Oscar®-nominated TIMBUKTU, Mauritania); Damián Szifrón (Oscar®-nominated WILD TALES, Argentina); Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado (THE SALT OF THE EARTH, France); Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy (THE TRIBE, Ukraine); and Andrey Zvyagintsev (Oscar®-nominated LEVIATHAN, Russia).
Filmmakers can e-mail [email protected] or call 866.AFI.FEST for more information about the submissions process.
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 motion pictures and television programs 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 Theatreand 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/AmericanFilm, facebook.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. 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 5-12, 2015. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFIFEST.
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 1,741,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2014, and broke all-time company sales records for the 5th 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 www.audiusa.com or www.audiusa.com/newsroom for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.
About the American Film Market
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market (AFM). The global film industry converges in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making on films in every stage of development and production, as well as screenings, conferences, networking and parties.
With 8,000 industry leaders from more than 80 countries, 700 screenings and the industry’s largest Conference Series, AFM is the pivotal destination for filmmakers, producers, writers, directors, distributors, financiers, industry executives, talent, the international media and all those who provide services to the worldwide motion picture industry.
The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance® the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry.
