Today, the American Film Institute (AFI) unveiled the full lineup of 161 films screening at this year’s AFI Fest presented by Canva, taking place in Los Angeles from October 22-26. Passes are now available at fest.afi.com. 10-ticket bundles are also on sale, with ticket selection opening Friday, October 3. Individual tickets will be available starting Monday, October 6.
This year’s festival lineup includes seven Red Carpet Premieres, 12 Special Screenings, 14 Luminaries selections, 15 Discovery films, 20 World Cinema selections, 15 Documentaries, six After Dark titles, 44 films in the Short Film Competition (including 16 in the Animation Shorts program) and 23 films from the AFI Conservatory Showcase presented by AMC Networks. There are five World Premieres, five North American Premieres and five U.S. Premieres. Of the official selections, 39% are directed by women and 29% are directed by BIPOC filmmakers. As previously announced, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will serve as Guest Artistic Director of this year’s festival.
Gala screenings will include the World Premiere of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants on the afternoon of Sunday, October 16, announced earlier this month. The feature film’s debut will be preceded by the animated short Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey. Animation lovers will also not want to miss a Special Screening presentation of Sylvain Chomet’s latest feature, A Magnificent Life, based on the celebrated French writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol.
Also of note is the After Dark selection Endless Cookie, a feature-length animated documentary from Canadian filmmakers Seth and Peter Scriver, which explores the relationship between two half-brothers separated by a 16-year age gap as well as the cultural divide of one having a Cree mother and one having a white mother. The surreally stylistic 2D film debuted at Sundance.
The Documentary Shorts program also features an animated touch in Long Live Livia, crafted by U.S. director Zach Dorn. The piece centers on an animator discussing a scene from the TV series The Sopranos while building meticulous stop-motion recreations of his family’s home movies.
AFI Fest is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards. The competition is also a qualifying festival for consideration for the British Short Film categories of both the BAFTA Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).
The animated shorts in competition are:
Animation Shorts 1
Ostrich
A sparrow sees images of ostriches everywhere. In awe of the ostriches with their long necks, dazzling eyes and muscular legs, the little bird wants to be just like them. Director: Marie Kenov. Switzerland
Carcassonne-Acapulco
As flight 7836 reaches cruising speed above the Atlantic Ocean, the pilot, co-pilot and flight attendant are startled by an unexpected knock at the door — causing chaos and confusion to ensue. Marjorie Caup, Olivier Héraud. France
Apple Gatherers
Apple Gatherers shows the loneliness and dissatisfaction in a labor-intensive world and the brief reprieve we have in moments of real human connection. The moment is fleeting, yet powerful. Danielle Rhoda Addae-Boateng. U.K.
Snow Bear
Set in a rapidly changing world, Snow Bear tells the story of a polar bear in an unforgiving environment on his quest to find a friend. Aaron Blaise. U.S.A.
Petra and the Sun (Petra y el Sol)
During a heavy snowmelt in the Andes, Petra discovers the perfectly preserved corpse of a lost mountaineer — bringing him to her wooden chalet and sparking an unexpected romantic story. Malu Furche, Stefania Malacchini. Chile
S the Wolf
A middle-aged man reflects on his tumultuous adolescence through intricate and deeply personal musings all tied to his hair growing or receding. Over time, we accumulate meaning into the larger journey of his life. Sameh Alaa. France
Dollhouse Elephant
In a world that demands community participation, individual desires inevitably collide. A group of neighbors, each focused on their own goals, must learn to communicate and consider one another. Jenny Jokela. Finland
9 Million Colors (9 Milionů Barev)
The ocean is paradise for Fran the shrimp. For blind fish Milva, it’s a fight to survive. Fran sees Milva as beautiful and wants her to see the ocean in the same way. Bára Anna. Czech Republic, Germany, Norway
Animation Shorts 2
Dormilón
In a quest to become the performer of his dreams, Dormilón, a starry-eyed and middle-aged janitor living in an abandoned theater, must confront his nightmares face-to-face. Olivia Marie Valdez. U.S.A.
Dog Alone (Cão Sozinho)
After the death of its owner and its companions, a dog is left alone. Howls day and night disturbing all the neighborhood. In the house next door, a widowed man’s granddaughter returns from London. Marta Reis Andrade. Portugal, France
Forevergreen
A joyful adventure featuring an orphaned bear cub and a fatherly tree turns serious when the cub is tempted by the allure of easy food. Nathan Engelhardt, Jeremy Spears. U.S.A.
Mine!
In the early 20th century Midwest U.S.A., deep underground, a group of coal miners make an incredible discovery. Lou Morton. U.S.A.
Desi Oon
Through the story of Balu Mama and his revered flock of Deccani sheep, Desi Oon contrasts a rich heritage with the modern neglect of India’s native sheep and wool industry. Suresh Eriyat. India
Amarelo Banana
After yet another night of insomnia, a man comes across a strange community living in his building and discovers an elaborate illusion they have created. Alexandre Sousa. Portugal, Hungary
Once in a Body
While dealing with a strange being that lives inside of her, a woman seeks reconciliation with her sister over an incident from their adolescence. María Cristina Pérez González. Colombia
Murmuration (Zwermen)
An elderly man realizes that he’s suddenly turning into a bird. Janneke Swinkels, Tim Frijsinger. Netherlands
