1. DAY SEVEN RECAP: AFI FEST'S MAGIC HOUR

AFI FEST 2002 always strives to give you the latest from the front lines. Unfortunately, last night was such a whirlwind of celebration, insight, and non-stop screenings, that it would be silly to hazard any complete wrap-up. Instead, we've chosen to give you an overview of one hour, from 9:00 - 10:00 p.m., perhaps one of the most thrilling and star-studded hours of the FEST to date.

At 9:01 p.m., David Duchovny entered the ArcLight Hollywood, for the Chuck Fries Award ceremony honoring Robert Greenwald, renowned TV director and producer, whose latest film UNPRECENTED is one of the top documentaries at the FEST. Next door, in Theater 11, legendary actress Genevieve Bujold was on hand to introduce Manon Briand's CHAOS AND DESIRE. Bujold, who now lives in L.A., told the audience how "thrilled" she was for the opportunity to return home and work with Briand, who's also a good friend.

Then, at 9:15 p.m. the acclaimed Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi joined AFI FEST for a discussion about SUPPLEMENT, his latest film. The Q and A was so enlightening that practically nobody noticed the stirrings outside heralding Javier Bardem's entrance. On his way to introduce THE DANCER UPSTAIRS, John Malkovich's directorial debut, Bardem stopped and graciously obliged the moat of reporters and photographers around him. Sporting a fall casual look, in dark jeans and open-collar blue shirt, Bardem, who stars in the film, praised AFI FEST and its commitment to bringing the best of world cinema under one roof. "AFI does great work," said Bardem, in between squeals of joy from his many fans.

Then, when the Cinema Lounge was about to close, just before 10:00 p.m., Birthday Girl and AFI FEST Programmer Shaz Bennett and her entourage of AFI staff, celebrities, and other festive doyens stormed the Festival bar and lounge and elevated AFI FEST's nightstop to a new and beautiful level. Groove makers included AFI FEST newsletter reporter Earnest Pettie; Latino Cinema Coordinator Juan Pacheco; Theater Manager Amy Volker; and, yes, Festival Director Christian Gaines. Said volunteer Jon Olivas, whose tenure at the FEST dates back to 1997, "This is why I keep coming back!"

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2. DAY EIGHT: LET THE AFI FEST LIGHT SHINE ON YOUR THURSDAY NIGHT!

Thursday's program features several Festival debuts, as well as encore screenings of some of our most popular programs. Here are just a few of the highlights:

A MAP OF THE HEART, November 14, 7:00 p.m.
MADE IN GERMANY

Who would think that the most difficult place in the world to run away from your problems would be an island in the Mediterranean Sea? Writer/Director Dominik Graf explores Corsica, along with the possibilities of digital video, in this tale of good-byes, bad decisions, and obsession.

DIVINE INTERVENTION, November 14, 7:30PM
European Showcase

Utilizing breathtaking visuals and unflinching humor, Elia Suleiman's DIVINE INTERVENTION reveals the dreams and nightmares of Palestinians and Israelis living in uncertain times.

VAYA CON DIOS, November 14, 9:00 PM
MADE IN GERMANY

"Losing your religion" takes on a special meaning in Zoltan Spirandelli's hilarious coupling of the sacred and the profane. Winner of four Bavarian Film Awards, including Best New Director.

CITY OF GOD, November 14, 9:45 PM
Latin Cinema Series

A true story of a young man growing up in the notorious slum of Rio de Janeiro's 'City of God.' His ambition as a photographer is our window in, and ultimately, may be his only way out. Directed by Fernando Meirelles.

As always, please don't take our word for it. Visit www.AFI.com and make your own informed choice.

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3. VISIT THE AFI FEST 2002 GALLERY!

Late at night, early in the morning or whenever life takes you away from AFI FEST, you can still enjoy the festivities at http://www.AFI.com/AFIFEST/2002/, our Photo Gallery that broadcasts some of the happy (and often good-looking) faces at the FEST.

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4. HOW CAN I BE PART OF THIS?

Excellent question. Nothing could be easier. Take a look.

Individual tickets can be purchased by calling 1.866.AFI FEST, ordering online at www.AFI.com or by visiting the AFI FEST 2002 Box Office located at ArcLight Hollywood.

FEST Passes are now available (with the exception of PRO PASSES, which, sadly, have sold out). We offer a broad selection, with a pass to match your style, budget and mood:

DAY PASS
The Best Value for Those with Flexible Schedules
Admits one to all matinee (before 6:00 p.m.) Festival screenings
Regular: $50
Reduced Rate: $43

FEST PASS
The Most Popular Pass for All Regular Screenings
Admits one to all Festival screenings (excluding Opening and Closing Night), Tribute, Centerpiece Gala and Cinema Lounge Regular: $200
Reduced Rate: $170

All PASS
Total Access and Bring a Guest To The Galas
Admits one to all Festival screenings and the Tribute. Also includes two tickets to Opening, Centerpiece and Closing Galas (premiere and reception) and access for two to the Cinema Lounge.
Regular: $600
Reduced Rate: $510

REDUCED RATE TICKETS AND PASSES:

Students, seniors and members in good standing with the following organizations are eligible for reduced rate passes and tickets:

AFI, ArcLight, IDA, American Cinematheque, IFP, DGA, PGA, SAG, WGA, WIF, AMPAS, AFMA, LACMA, Norton Simon, Stella Adler and Skirball Cultural Center.

Proof of organization membership and/or valid ID is required at time of ticket pick-up.

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5. CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT: SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, THE LACARD, and PATRIOT ADVISORS, INC.

SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival
Launching on June 18, 2003, SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival will present more than 60 provocative films and videos from around the world and from every documentary genre. This new competitive festival was created by the American Film Institute in partnership with the Discovery Channel.

The five-day festival will be held annually in the newly restored, state-of-the-art AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center in metropolitan Washington, DC. The festival will include film premieres, international documentary screenings, post-screening forums, curated nonfiction exhibits, awards, and professional programs.

Most importantly, SILVERDOCS will focus on content -- in subject and in craft. What sets SILVERDOCS apart from other documentary festivals is the inclusion of Washington's international policymakers, producing organizations, journalists, and issue experts who will engage audiences in lively debate surrounding the Festival's world-class films.

AFI FEST 2002 is pleased to have the generous support of SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival. For more information on the Festival, please go to www.silverdocs.com.

THE LACARD
The LAcard has teamed up with AFI FEST 2002 to provide its unique services to AFI FEST filmmakers, VIPs and members of the press with a co-branded cards to use through the end of 2002.

The LAcard was designed for companies or organizations to provide employees, members or customers with thousands of dollars in savings at a wide-variety of establishments in and around Los Angeles, similar to obtaining an employee discount wherever they go. Since the cards are co-branded, the sponsoring company is remembered every time the card is used. There are over 50,000 cards issued in the marketplace and close to 600 merchant locations participating in the program. TheLAcard is also available to individuals online at www.theLAcard.com.

PATRIOT ADVISORS, INC.
Michael Mendelsohn has worked with talented filmmakers and financed major independent films for over eighteen years and has provided production financing for such memorable works as Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs," Nicholas Hytners' "The Madness of King George," Tony Scott's "True Romance," "Red Rock West" from John Dahl and "Killing Zoë" by Roger Avery. In addition to independent films, Patriot Advisors, Inc. has also financed larger, commercial films, such as "Air Force One" by Wolfgang Petersen, The Wachowski Brothers' "The Matrix," Mark Pellington's "The Mothman Prophecies," Sam Raimi's "The Gift," Nancy Meyer's "What Women Want" and "Sleepy Hollow" by Tim Burton.   

Patriot Advisors is a boutique merchant bank that manages over $275 million in production financing for several major banks.  Depending on the project, Patriot Advisors structures bank production loans, gap financing, receivables financing and/or European tax-based production financing. 

Patriot Advisors is proud to be a sponsor of AFI FEST 2002 and to participate for a second year in the Kodak CONNECT Program, and congratulates the independent spirit of the filmmakers celebrated this year. For more information on Patriot Advisors, please visit www.patriotadvisors.com.

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6. AFI FEST 2002 - PARTNERS

AFI FEST 2002 is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

AFI FEST 2002 is proud to continue its collaborative Sponsorship with the Skirball Cultural Center.

AFI FEST 2002's Made in Germany series is made possible through the cooperation of the Export-Union of German Cinema.

SPONSORS
Please recognize the following companies (listed in alphabetical order) that provide support to AFI FEST 2002, as well as an unwavering commitment to the international film community and its audiences worldwide:

Premium Sponsor
ArcLight Cinemas

Official Sponsors
AFM 2003
Continental Airlines - Official Airline Sponsor of AFI FEST 2002
DELL
Hollywood & Highland
Los Angeles Times
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood - Official Hotel Partner of AFI FEST 2002
SilverDocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival

Major Sponsors
Adelphia
Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival - Official Automotive Sponsor of AFI FEST 2002
Eastman Kodak Company - CONNECT Presenting Sponsor
Hollywood Celebrity Diet
Hollywood Sign Trust
Home Box Office
Los Angeles Magazine
The New 6565 Sunset Boulevard
TriCoast Studios
Variety

Producing Sponsors
Absolut
Agnes b.
Aloha Airlines
Camelot Theaters
Cultural Affairs Department/City of Los Angeles
Fox Searchlight
K-Earth
LA Weekly
Les Deux Café
Lufthansa - Airline Sponsor of Made in Germany
Venice Magazine

Program Sponsors
European Union
Film Finders
Film Out Express
GE Energy Rentals
Henry Fonda/Music Box Theatre
IMDbPro.com
TheLACard
Moviefone
Neutrogena
Show Gear Productions
Sprayology
Without-A-Box

Contributing Sponsors
Amoeba Music
Anheuser-Busch
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian General Benevolent Union
ASCAP
Avid Technology
Chace Productions
Cordoba Corporation
Deluxe
Dolby Digital Laboratories
ECO
Focus Features
Frederick Wildman & Sons, LTD.
Gold Graphics
Holiday Inn of Hollywood
iFilm
In! Magazine
IndieWIRE
Junior Achievement of Armenia
Krispy Kreme
La Opinion
LU Biscuits
The Magic Castle
Magic Hotel
Moviemaker Magazine
Pepsi
Peter Cohen
RES Magazine
ROOTS
Screen Actors Guild
Sole H2O
Tropicana/Dole
TV-5
USA Network
Where Magazine
Writers Guild of America

Consulate Sponsors
The Austrian Consulate General, Los Angeles
The British Film Office, Los Angeles
The Consulate General of Canada
The Consulate General of the Netherlands
The French Cultural Services of the French Embassy
The French Film & TV Department in Los Angeles
The Italian Cultural Institute

Friendship Sponsors
Audio Rents
Directors Guild of America
Echo Lake Productions
El Capitan Theatre
IFP/West
Landmark Theatres
Panavision
Patriot Advisors
Polam
The Polish Film Festival
United Talent Agency
Video Premieres

Film Commission Partners
California Film Commission
Film Offices of the Hawaiian Islands
Maryland Film Commission
Mississippi Film Office
Montana Film Office
Nevada Film Office
Oregon Film & Video Office
San Diego Film Commission
SaskFilm

Gala Restaurant Partner
Blue Palms
Linq
Michi
Mirabelle
Tantra

Supporting Restaurant Partners
Arby's Sunset
Brooklyn Bagel Bakery
Fabiolus Café
Hamburger Hamlet
Il Capriccio
Messob Ethiopean Restaurant - www.messob.com
Patagonia Grill
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
Tangiers
Toi on Vine
Tommy's

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7. ABOUT AFI

The American Film Institute (AFI) is the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI trains the next generation of moving image artists, provides leadership in the nationwide film and television preservation effort and explores new technologies in the digital media arts. AFI also presents the best of film through the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST) in Los Angeles; the AFI National Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, MD, opening in 2003; and the annual AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor given for a career in film.

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8. CONTACT US

AFI FEST 2002 (November 7 - 17)

1.866.AFI FEST or 323.856.7709

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November 13, 2002

November 12, 2002

November 11, 2002

October 30, 2002

October 9, 2002 Newletter

September 18, 2002 Newletter

May 9, 2002 Newletter