Sure, you can go to a movie any time. You can sit on the couch and watch one. You can even see one on your phone if you really wanted to. But going to a film festival—in particular, the AFI Fest—you get an immersive cinema experience that you can’t have anyplace else. Not only are you surrounded by other film lovers , but you can see films that you may never see anywhere else, or before they’re released widely.
This year’s festival, which kicks off on Nov. 14 and runs until Nov. 21, screens more than 140 films in iconic venues, including the retro-glam Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. These selections span all genres, including documentaries, shorts, and foreign films. You’ll have ample opportunities to attend galas and special screenings, and see releases from emerging auteurs, as well as AFI alumni. And in an industry that is scrutinized for its lack of diversity, the festival is moving forward on inclusion by prominently featuring films about racial injustice and by artists of color, and a full 51 percent are directed by women.
Source: AFI’s Lineup This Year Is Legit – Here’s What To Pay Attention To: LAist