AFI Docs Announces Opening Night and Centerpiece Premieres

Now in its eleventh year in Washington DC, AFI Docs presented by Audi (formerly Silverdocs) kicks off of on June 19th and runs until the 23rd. The documentary festival has just announced that their opening gala on the 19th will be a presentation of Bill Couturie’s “Letters to Jackie” at the Newseum. The film, presented by TLC and co-produced by Amblin TV and The Couturie
Co., features letters from American citizens written to Jackie Kennedy after the assassination of her husband. The titular letters are read by an impressive array of voice talent including Jessica Chastain, Chris Cooper, Frances McDormand, Melissa Leo, and Mark Ruffalo. TLC will premiere the film on television in November.

Also having its premiere at the festival is “Documented,” the feature doc by Pulitzer winner Jose Antonio Vargas and and Ann Lupo. The film is a personal story of immigration in America, a topic will also be explored as part of the AFI
Catalyst Sessions: The Art of Moving Reality, a forum for national
conversations with filmmakers, thought leaders, policy-makers and audiences held as part of AFI Docs.

“Some issues and emotions are so powerful that they must find expression
in the public square and in our case, the National Mall and
Pennsylvania Avenue,” said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale. “Letters to Jackie” and “Documented” will prompt essential national conversations
that are at the heart of AFI Docs.”