AFI Fest

Werner Herzog with IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring at AFI Fest this week following the L.A. debut of his film at the event. Herzog's latest, "Into the Abyss" opens Friday, 11/11/11.

There was quite the European auteur dinner during AFI Fest this week, when IFC Films hosted a dinner at Campenelli off La Brea. "The Kid with a Bike" directors Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne (left) Béla Tarr ("Turin Horse," center) and Wim Wenders ("Pina") were joined by "The Loneliest Planet" director Julia Loktev (right), her actress Hani Fursternberg and AFI Fest Director Jacqueline Lyanga.

AFI Fest hosted a screening of Pedro Almodóvar's "Law of Desire" (1987) during the fest. Almodóvar served as this year's guest Artistic Director at the festival. He's seen here at the after-party sporting glasses and "Desire" star Antonio Banderas coming along.

"The Loneliest Planet" director Julia Loktev with star Hani Furstenberg and AFI Fest head programmer Lane Kneedler. "Planet" won the Grand Jury Prize in the New Auteurs competition at the festival.

Director/actor Ralph Fiennes on the red carpet at AFI Fest, getting a greet from the festival's director, Jacqueline Lyanga. Fiennes directorial debut "Coriolanus" debuted at the festival this week.

"J. Edgar" director Clint Eastwood, star Leonardo DiCaprio and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black at the after-party following the film's premiere at AFI Fest last week.

iW caught up with the guys from "Easier with Practice" on Hollywood Blvd. near the Kodak Theatre after walking the red carpet. Writer/director Kyle Patrick Alvarez (right) and star Brian Geraghty screened their film at the recent AFI Fest, which ended over the weekend. In the film two brothers set off on a road trip in an effort to promote an unpublished novel, written by the older brother, Davy.However, the idealism of being on the road wears off and it quickly proves to be a lonely and unfulfilling experience for Davy. One night in a motel room he gets a random phone call from a mysterious woman named Nicole, and they start a funny and intimate long distance relationship that leaves Davy happier than he has been in years. Hoping there is more to the relationship then a voice and a phone bill, Davy decides he wants to meet Nicole. Ultimately, he will have to face not only the truth about their relationship but also about himself. [Film description provided]

Actress Angela Bassett hung out with AFI Fest Artistic Director Rose Kuo and Dwayne Cochran Johnson, who is working with Bassett on her next project, "United States" at the closing night party at the Roosevelt Hotel last week. Bassett chaired the festival's inaugural New Lights Competition and took part in the winner announcements earlier in the evening.

IFC Films hosted a lovely dinner at "the new Mr. Chow's" called Philippe on Melrose in LA Tuesday night as part of AFI Fest, currently underway. One organizer wondered how the turn out would be, but alas, great food and wine brings them out every time! IFC filmmakers and others were among the 35 or so people who came out, in addition to actors Ti West ("House of the Devil") and Sara Simmons ("In Search of a Midnight Kiss") pictured here after dinner hanging with IFC Films' Lizzie Nastro. To check out more fab photos from the dinner, click here.

"I'm happy and proud to be here," "Before The Fall" director F. Javier Gutierrez said of his experience at AFI Fest 2008. "I think its the best festival in Los Angeles. They have a high quality and international selection of films. I know it well. I was here in 2002 with a short. It's like going back home." "Fall" had its final AFI screening last night in Hollywood, and it's U.S. Premiere has been met with considerable acclaim, with LA Weekly comparing the filmmaker to Guillermo del Toro.

"I'm angry," actress Rose McGowan (left) said at a West Hollywood rally against Proposition 8, which looks like it will pass in California, banning gay marriage. "I'm angry that people are trying to mess with the constitution." McGowan posed for indieWIRE with West Hollywood mayor John Duran at the rally, which attracted thousands, many AFI Fest 2008 goers among them. The rally dispersed down the streets of Los Angeles, culminating just block from AFI headquarters when police intervened. More on the events here.

At a Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel dinner celebrating the AFI Fest screening of the IFC Films/Red Envelope film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days," director Christian Mungiu poses for an iPOP shot with Ella Taylor and Scott Foundas of the LA Weekly. The film, selected as the Romanian entry for the Oscar foreign language film race, won the Palme d'Or earlier this year in Cannes (see related indieWIRE article) and has been on a winning festival tour, including stops at the recent Telluride, Toronto and New York festivals. IFC will release the film in January.

Its hard to see John Malkovich at a party without immediately recalling moments of dialogue from the Spike Jonze classic, "Being John Malkovich. So after spotting him at Monday's "No Country for Old Men" premiere in Los Angeles and then the AFI Fest centerpiece party for "Juno," we found ourselves among a chorus of attendees whispering the familiar refrain, "malkovich, malkovich, malkovich..." Here, he takes a moment to pose with "Juno" director Jason Reitman.

At the AFI Rooftop Village party celebrating the centerpiece screening of "Juno" accomplished writer/director/actor Edgar Wright ("Shaun of the Dead," "Hott Fuzz") and "Juno" writer Diablo Cody. In a recent indieWIRE profile, Cody chatted about the new feature, directed by Jason Reitman and also gave a preview of her next feature project, "Girly Style."

A group of large tents comprise the Rooftop Village, transforming a parking structure into a festive center for parties and hanging out during the ten day so of , the . AFI festivals director Christian Gaines and filmmaker Alex Cox, at the festival with Searchers 2.0, pose for a quick pic during the first weekend of the festival. During the fest, indieWIRE reported on Cox's remarks to festival filmmakers, in which he declared a, "tyranny of the movie stars" that dominates filmmaking today."

More from AFI Fest: Actress Gong Li greets actress Faye Dunaway during the after-party following the world premiere of "Curse of the Golden Flower" by Zhang Yimou. The film concluded the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival.

More from AFI Fest: All the filmmakers receiving awards at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival made their way for the traditional line up photo. From left to right: "Vitus" director Fredi M. Murer (audience feature winner), "Grbavica" director Jasmila Zbanic (grand jury prize for international feature), "Screamers" director Carla Garapedian (audience prize-documentary) and producer Peter McAlevey (behind), "Fair Trade" director Michael Dreher (audience prize-short), and "Blindsight" director Lucy Walker (audience prize-documentary).

More from AFI Fest '06: Director Fredi M. Murer sports his prize last weekend which he received a the AFI Fest awards brunch. Murer's "Vitus" took the fest's audience feature prize, and is pictured with Marla Halperin and Mark Halperin from Magic Lamp.

Director Zhang Yimou (far right) traveled to Los Angeles for the world premiere of his spectacular new film "Curse of the Golden Flower," starring Gong Li (second from left) and Chow Yun Fat (third from right). The film, set in China's Tang Dynasty of the 10th century, is the story of the Imperial family's reuniting just as a power struggle unfolds between the Empress (Gong Li) and Emperor (Chow Yun Fat). The film is China's official entry for best foreign-language Oscar consideration. Sony Pictures Classics' co-presidents, Michael Barker (left) and Tom Bernard (second from right) joined the group. SPC will release the film in the U.S.

Faye Dunaway greeted Chinese director Zhang Yimou ("Raise the Red Lantern") whose latest film, "Curse of the Golden Flower" had its world premiere as the closing night film of the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival Sunday night. Looking on are actors Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat who star in Zhang's sumptuous film which is a true feast for the eyes. Also an amazing film to see in L.A.'s Cineramadome.

The international documentary competition jury members headed out of the main tent at the AFI festival village Sunday afternoon into the warm afternoon. This year's jurors, actress Darryl Hannah, Academy Award-nominated director Jessica Sanders and ("Sing!") and filmmaker Wash Westmoreland ("Quinceanera") picked Mark Verkerk's "Buddha's Lost Children" for best doc. The film is the story of a Thai boxing champion's journey to save childen from the impoverished Golden Triangle region of the country. The jury also presented a special mention to J.B. Rutagarama's "Back Home."

AFI Fest filmmakers and attendees went to the festival village atop the parkings structure at the ArcLight Sunday morning for the awards brunch. "Screamers" director Carla Garapedian (left) and producer Peter McAlevey joined "Blindsight" director Lucy Walker for some photos in front of the AFI backdrop. Both films shared the audience prize for best documentary.

Director/screenwriter Joey Lauren Adams (right) joined stars Ashley Judd and Jeffrey Donovan at a dinner in Hollywood Thursday night prior to the screening of their film "Come Early Morning," which is screening as a Special Presentation at AFI Fest. The yummy dinner was hosted by American Beauty and invitees mixed with wine prior to the sit-down. The film, which screened at Deauville and Sundance, stars Judd as a stubborn, fiercely independent Southern woman with real intimacy issues.

Roadside Attractions co-heads Eric d'Arbeloff and Howard Cohen at a dinner prior to the screening of their film, "Come Early Morning," which is screening as a Special Presentation at AFI Fest. The dinner was held at Eat in Hollywood, also attended by director/actress Joey Lauren Adams ("Chasing Amy") and actress Ashley Judd.

AFI Fest American Directions film "The Comic Evangelists" follows the travails of a Christian improv group lead by its messianic leader Rick (played by Dann Sytsma who is also co-director). When fellow improver Nigel suggests that the group head north to attend the Toronto International Improv Festival, they take a van up to the city excited about spreading the word of the Lord--but things go awry when one of the members comes out and the group take the stage via a big lie. The group (pictured here following their screening earlier this week at the festival--with co-directors Sytsma and Daniel Jones on the far right) had held a mock protest in the courtyard of the Arclight to draw attention to their film.

Ngozi Onwura (director) and Sharon Foster (writer) of "Shoot the Messenger" at AFI Fest earlier this week. "Shoot" is described as a "controversial film that chronicles an idealistic black professional who decieds to become a teacher in order to enhance the lives of young black students." The film is screening in the festival's new African Voices section.

"Drama/Mex" director Gerardo Naranjo at the Arclight following the U.S. premiere of his film at AFI Fest. The film centers on the lives of a group of sexy Acapulco kids, which Naranjo describes as "low budget and a big heart."

Iranian director Jafar Panahi traveled to Los Angeles with his film "Offside," which is screening in the World Cinema section at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival. The film is a comedy about a frantic father who searches for his daughter who he fears has disguised herself as a boy so she can attend a qualifying match for the country's soccer/football team. Panahi is seen here at a party high atop the Arclight Theater's parking structure which is the AFI Fest's 'festival village' with tents, Audis and sweeping LA views.

Doc Filmmaker J.B. Rutagarama and his "three mothers" at a reception for his film, "Back Home" earlier this week at pub the Cat and the Fiddle in Hollywood. The film is a moving story about his return to Rwanda after surviving the geoncide of the 1990s in search of his lost family. Joining him is "British mom" Truus Bos, who put him up and helped him transition to the West. His "African mom," Immaculee Mukanyonga, in the US for the first time for the premiere, and "American mom" and the film's producer Linda Vaster, who brought JB to New York and helped him get a job as a TV cameraman.

Director David Munro and producer Xandra Castleton at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood after introducing their film, "Full Grown Men," which is screening in the American Directions section at AFI Fest. The film about one man's bout with midlife crisis stars Amy Sedaris, Alan Cumming and Deborah Harry.

Coming full circle, actress Salma Hayek picked up a very young Penelope Cruz at LAX back in the day before she was all that (at least in the US--of course she's been all that all along) and, well, fast forward--joined her for the festivities at the "Volver" premiere at the Arclight, which screened as part of a tribute for Cruz. Que maravillosa! To read more about how it all begana and about the Fete de la Cruz, check out the article from earlier this weekend.

Director Nicholas Hytner's (second from right) "The History Boys" had its North American debut at AFI Fest Saturday evening in a cavernous theater at the ArcLight. All we can say is history never looked so sexy (for the most part). Joining Hytner for the Q&A following the film, which will be released by Fox Searchlight in the U.S. are the film's (and play) stars Frances de la Tour, Dominic Cooper (hot with dark hair), Samuel Barnett (other hot one) and Richard Griffiths who does an amazing job in the film (far right).

"The Host" director Joon-ho Bong can't go to far without the photographers en pursuit, and we're guilty too we guess. He's been called the Korean Steven Spielberg, and traveled to Los Angeles for the AFI Fest for his film, which will be released in the U.S. by Magnolia Pictures. He's seen here having a chat with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) chair An Cheong Sook at a reception for the film over the weekend.

AFI Fest senior programmer Shaz Bennett atop the roof at the Arclight for an evening soiree with "The Lonely Lights" director Benjamin M. Piety doing a little chit chat and pow wow and what-not Sunday evening.

German filmmaker Till Nowak (middle) seemed delighted if not a bit embarrassed at winning both the audience and jury prizes in the short film category for his film "Delivery at the recently concluded AFI Fest in Los Angeles. The director said the prize was very important to him and will help him go forward with the film's exposure. Pictured with Nowak are the film's composers, Andreas and Matthias Hornschuh.

Pictured at an AFI Fest party last week, with "World's Fastest Indian" director Roger Donaldson (center), are numerous members of the Magnolia Pictures team, including (left to right): Ben Stambler, Tom Quinn, Eamonn Bowles, Bill Banowsky, Jeff Reichert, and Jason Janego.

AFI Director of Festivals Christian Gaines with AFI Festivals Director of Programming Nancy Collet hanging out at the AFI Fest Rooftop Village at the Arclight theaters in Hollywood.

Outside Saturday's screening of "Breakfast on Pluto" at AFI Fest are star Cillian Murphy, director Neil Jordan and producer Alan Moloney.

At the AFI Fest over the weekend, George Clooney talks with regular New York Times writer Lynn Hirschberg during one of the Times Talks sessions.

(L-R) Jordan Peimer from the Skirball Center, AFI Director of Festivals Christian Gaines and actor Johnny Depp attend the world premiere for the film "The Libertine" during AFI Fest at the ArcLight Theatre on November 11. The actor also received a career achievement award from the festival and participated in an on-stage interview.

Outside the Loft in the AFI Fest's Rooftop Village saturday night (left to right) Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker and Hollywood producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy, were chatting with "Breakfast on Pluto" director Neil Jordan and the film's producer Alan Moloney. Chatting with indieWIRE, Jordan praised the film's star Cillian Murphy for his work in the movie, which opens Wednesday.

European Film Promotion took their "New Faces in European Cinema" to the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival earlier this week, spotlighting up-and-coming directors from the continent at a party hosted by the organization at AFI Fest's Rooftop Village. The directors each took the mic on a stage to give a brief intro of their individual films, and then introduced a counterpart from the eight countries represented. From left to right starting at the bottom are: Ari Alexander Magnusson, director of "Screaming Masterpiece" (Iceland); Josef Fares, director of "Zozo" (Sweden); and Pavel Strnad, producer of "Wrong Side Up" (Czech Republic). Top left is AFI director of festivals, Christian Gaines; Richard Bracewell, director of "The Gigolos" (U.K.); hiding behind him is Markus Selin, producer of "Addiction" (Finland); Ruxandra Zenide, director of "RYNA" (Switzerland); Christian Alvart, director of "Antibodies" (Germany); Gijs van de Westelaken, producer of "06/05 The Sixth of May"; and finally, European Film Promotion president Claudia Landsberger.

Giving the official pose at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival prior to their world debut screening of "The Four Corners of Suburbia" at the Hollywood ArcLight, (L-R) director Elizabeth Puccini, actor Alec Newman, actress Madchen Amick, actress Alice Evans, actor Paul Blackthorne and actor Brad Rowe.

At AFI Fest Tuesday, Margaret Cho arrives at the screening of the film "Bam Bam & Celeste," the new film that she wrote and stars in.

Following a screening of Quebecois director Jean-Marc Vallee's sensational Toronto International Film Festival '05 audience award winner "C.R.A.Z.Y." at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival yesterday, a couple of people were overheard saying about the film's lead actor Marc-Andre Grondin, "he's the Canadian Gael [Garcia Bernal]." Their features do have some resemblance and Grondin definitely gave quite an impressive performance in the film, which is a unique coming-of-age story. The film is Canada's official entry for foreign-language Academy Award consideration. Distribution in the U.S. is still pending -- we hope it gets out there!

The screening and party for "Transamerica" was quite a glittering affair Sunday night. The film's star Felicity Huffman brought out her fellow "Desperate Housewives" co-stars for the event, causing a frenzy, naturally. The film, directed by Duncan Tucker (right), is gathering some Oscar buzz, at least according to television show Access Hollywood and others. Tucker is pictured here with Sebastian Dungan who is one of the film's producers.

Legendary porn figure Ron Jeremy (left) joked that he'd look short standing next to South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) producer Matt Dentler (right) when posing for this photo. Dentler, who hosted a SXSW cocktail party at AFI Fest's Festival Village at the Hollywood ArcLight, later joked that there were probably other ways he'd make up for it. Jeremy is attending the AFI Fest for Steve Anderson's "Fuck," which takes a look at the origin of the 'F' word. The film had its world premiere at the festival.

Wellspring acquisitions exec Rob Williams (left), director Andrew Bujalski ("Funny Ha Ha") and Film Independent programming director Rachel Rosen took in a chat at a party Monday night hosted by the South by Southwest Film Festival atop the festival village at AFI Fest. The party included quite an eclectic guest list including Marla Maples, Ron Jeremy and director Vincent Gallo as well as a load of filmmakers.

At the AFI Fest screening of "Sorry, Haters" Monday night, Sean Penn with the film's star Robin Wright Penn and the filmmaker Jeff Stanzler.

Shannyn Sossamon and Pink stopped for photos at the Lions Gate International American Film Market (AFM) cocktail party Sunday night. The pair appear together in Lions Gate's thriller "Catacombs" by Tomm Coker and David Elliot.

Jason Statham and Amy Smart who are currently in production on "Crank" here in LA at the Lions Gate InternationalAmerican Film Market AFM cocktail party Sunday night at Michael's in Santa Monica.

At Sunday's AFI Fest screening of Duncan Tucker's "Transamerica" are the "Desperate Housewives" (left to right) Marcia Cross, "Transamerica" star Felicity Huffman, Nicollette Sheridan, and Teri Hatcher.

In Los Angeles to promote "Pele Forever," the loving look at the life of the legendary sportsman, Pele signs autographs at the Brazilian Consolate Party in his honor.

Actor/director Andy Garcia joined AFI Fest director Christian Gaines and the festival's Christina Marouda at the Cinema Lounge on the seventh floor of the ArcLight Hollywood's parking structure, which is serving as the festival's festival village. Evening parties and other events take place up there with sweeping views of downtown Los Angeles to the east and Century City, Santa Monica and the ocean to the west.

Football (Soccer) mega superstar Pele took part in a press conference for "Pele Forever," the film by Anibal Massaini Neto (right), which is playing at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival. Many attending were -- not surprisingly -- from Brazil, and Pele played translator for those (including us) who are not totally up on our Portuguese. Pele diehards may really like the film, word is that it's pretty much a praise piece. Later that evening, a party was held for the film and some who had hoped to get in were left outside.

American Film Institute CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg at the opening night of AFI Fest with "Walk the Line" star Reese Witherspoon.