AFI is thrilled to announce that the World Premiere of the documentary film MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS from Lucasfilm Ltd, Amblin Documentaries and Imagine Documentaries, a comprehensive look at the prolific life and career of legendary composer John Williams, will open the 38th edition of AFI FEST presented by Canva on Wednesday, October 23.
From his early days as a jazz pianist to his 54 Oscar® nominations and five wins, the documentary celebrates Williams’ countless contributions to the moving image arts, music for the concert stage as well as his indelible impact on popular culture.
The film features interviews with Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Kate Capshaw, Gustavo Dudamel, J.J. Abrams, Chris Martin, Ron Howard, Chris Columbus, George Lucas, Itzhak Perlman, Lawrence Kasdan, Yo-Yo Ma, Ke Huy Quan, James Mangold, Alan Silvestri, David Newman, Thomas Newman, Seth MacFarlane, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Branford Marsalis, whose lives have been touched by Williams’ timeless music. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau, the documentary is produced by Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Meredith Kaulfers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Laurent Bouzereau, with Markus Keith and Michael Rosenberg serving as executive producers.
“John Williams is an American icon with a true and timeless global impact,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “One could say we are ‘over the moon’ to host the World Premiere of the film, but that sentiment would hardly soar without the music of E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL.”
“Growing up in France, I discovered the soundtracks I bought on vinyl ahead of most American movies that would come out months after the U.S. release. John Williams was the composer I immediately identified with; his scores made me fall in love with music, and made me realize at a very young age, the power that a score had on cinematic storytelling,” said Laurent Bouzereau. “This was an important story to tell, not only because it is about one of the greatest composers of all time, but because of the message it carries about the survival of orchestral music, and musicians.”
In 2016, Williams was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award and became the first composer to receive this highest honor for a career in film.
Following the World Premiere at AFI FEST presented by Canva, MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS will have a limited theatrical release and will premiere on Disney+ on November 1st.
Canva joins AFI FEST as this year’s exclusive Presenting Sponsor. FIJI Water is the festival’s Official Water Sponsor.
AFI FEST presented by Canva will take place October 23–27 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood and will feature a curated selection of Red Carpet Premieres, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films. With more than 100 films expected to screen, a festival pass is the best way to experience all that the film festival has to offer.
Festivalgoers have the opportunity to purchase a Star Pass or upgrade to a Patron Pass. Passes are available on FEST.AFI.com.
The Star Pass is a five-day pass with access to all screenings (excluding Red Carpet Premieres), early screening selection before individual tickets go on sale, priority theater access, entry to the festival lounge, invitation to the festival mixer to mingle with filmmakers and guests, a complimentary festival tote and free Rush Line access to all screenings.
The Patron Pass features all the benefits of the Star Pass plus two tickets to all of the star-studded Red Carpet Premieres held at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and priority screening selection before Star passholders.
The full festival lineup will be unveiled on October 1. A pass alone does not grant entry to a screening, and passholders must reserve tickets in advance of the festival. Patron passholders will have priority access to screening selection on October 2 beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT. Star passholders will have early access to screening selection on October 3 beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT. Individual tickets will be available on October 7.
The number of available passes is limited and will sell out. Learn more at FEST.AFI.com.
Louis Banlaki
Will the John Williams documentary ever be available on DVD?