AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival Opens with BEYOND THE SEA

US Premiere of BEYOND THE SEA, directed by and starring Kevin Spacey opened the prestigious American Film Institute, Los Angeles Film Festival this week. The 2004 AFI Festival is in its 18th year and is set for November 4 -14, 2004 in Hollywood, California.
Executive Director Christian Gaines had a wonderful opening night with the unveiling of the long awaited Miramax film BEYOND THE SEA. This is the story of 50's - 60's crooner Bobbie Darien, who live was tumultuous as a stormy sea while his talent as a singer lead him to the top of the charts. On hand to ad to the star studded event was Director and star Kevin Spacey. Gracious and appreciative Spacey work in this film shines through and AFI and guest were overwhelmed with enthusiastic support to the opening night screening. Other cast in attendance were John Goodman and Kate Bosworth as they walked the Red Carpet event.

Along with the Premiere of BEYOND THE SEA, AFI has a programming delight in store for its 2004 Festival.
Tribute and Retrospective of Academy Award®-winning and internationally acclaimed filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar will be presented as well as Gala Presentation of BAD EDUCATION.
The Centerpiece Gala will be THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Michael Radford, which made its North American at the Toronto Film Festival this past September. The Festival's Closing Night Gala on November 14, 2004, will be the US Premiere of THE SEA INSIDE, directed by Alejandro Amenábar. The other Gala Presentations are HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, directed by Zhang Yimou, and the North American Premiere of A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Other film highlights set for the Festival are 135 FILMS FROM 42 COUNTRIES, 24 WORLD PREMIERES, 11 NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERES and 28 US PREMIERES

The AFI FEST village will be located in the ArchLight courtyard, directly across from the entrance to all Festival theaters. The AFI FEST village will feature the AFI FEST Box Office providing tickets, updates, Festival service and hospitality counters; the intimate, ultra-hip Cinema Lounge and adaptable party space The Loft, where Festival attendees will meet, mingle and relax between screenings at dozens of meetings, receptions and other special events; the Kodak CONNECT program, where Festival filmmakers will access film professionals directly in hundreds of one-on-one meetings, and the production offices of AFI FEST Daily News, delivered each morning to AFI FEST and AFM locations, offering daily updates on AFI FEST films, people, places and
events of the last 24 hours with the latest pictures, news articles and interviews.

New this year, AFI FEST 2004 presented by Audi has established a strategic alliance with the American Film Market (November 3 - 10), creating a festival/market combination unprecedented in North America. Shuttles will be arriving and departing frequently from the ArcLight Hollywood AFI FEST activities and the Santa Monica Loews Hotel, where the American Film Market is headquarters. Both AFM registrants and AFI FEST artists will be afforded various levels of access through a cooperative registration program, and frequent special events will welcome badge holders from both AFI FEST and AFM. AFM Web Site: http://www.ifta-online.org/.

Headquartered once again at ArcLight Hollywood, the entertainment complex will host much of the international Festival's activity during the 10-day span. Five state-of-the-art theaters on ArcLight's upper floor will present Festival selections all day, while five previously announced red-carpet galas will take over the Cinerama Dome, with a sixth at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

The AFI Fest 2004 presented by AUDI will have much more in store for film lovers this coming eleven days.

By Keiko Beate