Los Angeles’ longest-running international film festival, AFI Fest, remains a showcase for the best festival films of the year, and an opportunity for artists to come together with audiences in the heart of the movie capital of the world. Now 33 editions in, AFI Fest 2019 opens with Queen & Slim, features Richard Jewell and closes with The Banker. This year’s festival runs from Thursday, November 14, 2019 – Thursday, November 21, 2019. 

Below find this year’s premiere choices and more information about AFI.

Queen & Slim
Slim and Queen’s first date takes an unexpected turn when a policeman pulls them over for a minor traffic violation. When the situation escalates, Slim takes the officer’s gun and shoots him in self-defence. Now labelled cop killers in the media, Slim and Queen feel that they have no choice but to go on the run and evade the law. When a video of the incident goes viral, the unwitting outlaws soon become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people all across the country.

Director: Melina Matsoukas
Produced by: Lena Waithe, Melina Matsoukas, James Frey, Michelle Knudsen, Andrew Coles
Cast: Chloë Sevigny, Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith
Distributor: Netflix
Release Date: November 27, 2019
Runtime: 2 hour 12 minutes
Genre: Drama
Rated: R

Richard Jewell
American security guard Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) saves thousands of lives from an exploding bomb at the 1996 Olympics, but is vilified by journalists and the press who falsely report that he was a terrorist.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Produced by: Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Andy Berman, Tim Moore, Kevin Misher, Jessica Meier
Cast: Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Walter Hauser
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: December 13, 2019
Runtime: 2 hour 09 minutes
Genre: Drama
Rated: R

The Banker
The Banker is an upcoming American drama film written and directed by George Nolfi. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, Jessie Usher and Colm Meaney. The story follows Joe Morris and Bernard Garrett, two of the first African-American bankers in the United States.

Director: George Nolfi
Produced by: Anthony Mackie, Brad Feinstein, Joel Viertel, Jonathan Baker
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Anthony Mackie
Distributor: Apple TV +
Release Date: In select theaters 3/6 and available on AppleTV+ 3/20
Runtime: 2 hours 01 minutes
Genre: Drama
Rated: PG-13

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

Established in 1967, the American Film Institute is the nation’s non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring artists and audiences through initiatives that champion the past, present and future of the moving image. AFI’s pioneering programs include filmmaker training at the AFI Conservatory; year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center and at AFI Festivals across the nation; workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community; honoring today’s masters through the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI AWARDS; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films that uphold film history for future generations. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, youtube.com/AFI, twitter.com/American Film and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

About AFI FEST presented by AudiNow in its 33rd year, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a world-class event, showcasing the best films from across the globe to captivated audiences in Los Angeles. With a diverse and innovative slate of programming, the eight-day festival presents screenings, panels and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new voices. World premieres, Galas and other special events take place at iconic LA locations, such as the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and the glamorous Hollywood Roosevelt. This year’s edition takes place November 14-21, 2019. Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST. Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFESTand youtube.com/AFI.