General Information

AFI FEST spans 11 days each fall, featuring international films from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of the latest work from the great film masters, nightly special screenings and red-carpet gala premieres. Each year, AFI FEST presents international competitions of features, documentaries and shorts, as well as regional showcases as part of its broader World Cinema section.

Since 2000, the consumer audience at AFI FEST has tripled to over 65,000 attendees and the acquisition of feature films for global distribution has become routine during the event. In 2007, over 600 press representatives secured accreditation to the Festival, with combined media impressions in excess of 1.6 billion worldwide. This year we anticipate over 700 accredited press representatives.

The 22nd edition of AFI FEST presented by Audi will run from October 30 - November 9, 2008, featuring 151 films from 38 countries, as well as panels, receptions and special events.

The Festival will launch with the World Premieres of John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman and close with Edward Zwick's epic DEFIANCE starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber. Other highlights of the Festival include the Centerpiece Galas: CHE, directed by Steven Soderbergh, THE WRESTLER directed by Darren Aronofsky, and LAST CHANCE HARVEY directed by Joel Hopkins; Tributes to Tilda Swinton and Danny Boyle; AFI Digital Content Lab's DIGIFEST, a showcase of digital prototypes; and screenings attended by such artists as Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Benicio Del Toro, Arnaud Desplechin, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Joaquin Phoenix, Edward Zwick, Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Steven Soderbergh, and others.

The American Film Market (AFM), November 5 - 12, 2008 is the market partner of AFI FEST. Since its formation in 2004, this strategic partnership has grown into the largest gathering of film professionals in North America. The association between the two events connects art and commerce, broadening the opportunities for all participants. A total of 36 films selected for last year's AFI FEST were also represented at the 2007 AFM.

AFI FEST is the only film festival in the United States to hold the prestigious FIAPF accreditation (www.FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.