OPENING NIGHT GALA

AFI Festival News Update

AFI Fest Director Jon Fitzgerald, AFI Director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg and Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan at the opening night gala. Kathy Bates and Rachel Weisz, who star in the film. Jon Fitzgerald and the film's director, Beeban Kidron. Actress Fairuza Balk. Arthur Hiller and Jon Fitzgerald. PHOTOS COURTESY OF: SWEPT FROM THE SEA On this cool and clear night approximately two thousand people attended the world-famous Mann's Chinese Theater to witness the premiere of Beeban Kidron's SWEPT FROM THE SEA, starring Vincent Perez and Rachel Weisz. Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan opened the fest with a speech acknowledging AFI and Jackie Goldberg of the L.A. City Council for participating in what he deemed a renaissance of the Hollywood community. AFI Director and CEO Jean Firstenberg thanked everyone for their contributions to this year's festival before introducing the new Director of AFI Fest, Jon Fitzgerald. Director Beeban Kidron spoke next and was extremely proud to be a part of the festival and to be exhibiting SWEPT FROM THE SEA on the Mann's giant screen. After the film, a gala reception was held a block away at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. Heavy shmoozing and lots of champagne kept people there until well past midnight. —Festival Reporter, Alec Schechter

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