AFI Fest

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Dates: November 1-12, 2006

As the longest running film festival in L.A., the AFI Fest set the standard for all others that followed. American Film Institute partnered with FILMEX: Los Angeles Film Exposition in 1987 to create the yearly AFI Fest. At its peak, the festival was just one of several in the United States, but had the highest attendance of any similar event in the world. Twenty years later, it’s still influential and full of glitz and glamour, showcasing many of the year’s top films (like last year’s Oscar Winners Walk the Line and Tsotsi).

Thousands of movie lovers and Hollywood’s major players flock to the sleek ArcLight Cinema on Sunset Boulevard for the red-carpet galas, but, most importantly, to see the newest offerings from both the world’s biggest moviemakers and emerging artists. Opening night this year brings the world-premiere of Emilio Estevez’s Bobby, lead by the biggest all-star cast since, well, JFK. This year also marks the AFI Fest’s “China” anniversary, and the program promises to extend beyond film screenings to an exciting celebration of the fest’s finest moments and most priceless memories.

For more information on the AAFF, visit www.aafilmfest.org.