Returning for its 37th edition, AFI FEST 2024 offers a cinematic experience that spans 140+ titles over five immersive days, showcasing Hollywood’s finest and a diverse array of international films. Filmgoers will be captivated from start to finish, with Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind opening the festival and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro as a grand finale. This year’s centerpiece is Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story, a powerful portrait of resilience and transformation by Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz.
Greta Gerwig’s role as Guest Artistic Director brings a compelling, visionary angle to the event. Handpicked by her, the festival’s selection includes three red-carpet premieres, 15 luminaries, and 12 discovery films. These showcases are bolstered by 16 standout world cinema entries, 14 documentaries, and 42 films in a short competition that captures fresh perspectives and boundary-pushing techniques. Additionally, the AFI Conservatory Showcase, presented by AMC Networks, highlights the creative achievements of students and emerging filmmakers, making this year’s AFI FEST an inspiring convergence of seasoned auteurs and rising talent.
This year’s AFI FEST features a captivating lineup, with Heretic as one of its most intriguing entries. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by industry veterans Stacey Sher, Julia Glausi, and Jeanette Volturno, Heretic stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East in a haunting narrative. Thatcher and East portray young missionaries whose faith is tested when they encounter the menacing Mr. Reed (Grant) in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse. Heretic’s chilling ambiance is brought to life by costumer Betsy Heimann, production designer Phil Messing, and composer Chris Bacon, all contributing to the film’s deeply unsettling atmosphere. A24 is set to release Hereticnationwide on November 8.
Other AFI FEST Highlights
- Here
This movie joins Heretic as a standout in this year’s lineup. Directed by renowned filmmaker Richard McGuire, Here stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in a unique exploration of time and memory. Adapted from McGuire’s own graphic novel, Hereunfolds within the confines of a single room, telling the overlapping stories of various people who have lived in or passed through it across decades, crafting a profound narrative on the passage of time. - Leave the World Behind
Opening the festival, Sam Esmail’s thriller brings Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali together in a gripping survival story about family, society, and trust in a remote vacation gone awry. - Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story
This emotional centerpiece documentary by Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz offers an intimate, revealing look at Tyler Perry’s personal journey and impact on modern entertainment. - Maestro
Closing the festival, Bradley Cooper’s ambitious biopic follows the complex relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre, with Carey Mulligan joining Cooper in a story of love, music, and legacy. - Return of Wallace & Gromit
The brand-new Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Directed by Aardman’s Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, the beloved clay duo are back in this adventure, where Gromit must save Wallace from a rogue “smart gnome” with a dark side. The film mixes humor and suspense as Gromit takes on sinister forces in a bid to protect his inventive master.
This year’s AFI FEST offers not just a front-row seat to some of the year’s most anticipated films but an invitation to explore the expansive world of cinema—one that celebrates diversity, artistry, and the unifying power of storytelling.
Tickets and Participation
AFI FEST offers diverse access options, from all-access passes to individual screenings, ensuring everyone can engage with this year’s expansive programming. For details and tickets, visit AFI FEST
Photo credits: Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles)
