AFI Fest Announces Red Carpet Galas

The AFI Fest 2010 (presented by Audi) has just announced its gala screenings, and a tribute to The King’s Men director and cast. The centerpiece galas will include the following films.

Abel directed by Diego Luna.  Synopsis: A strange, alluring fable of a disturbed child attempting to become his own father. Cast includes Christopher Ruíz-Esparza, José María Yazpik, Karina Gidi, Carlos Aragón, Gerardo Ruíz-Esparza, and Geraldine Alejandra.

Barney’s Version directed by Richard J. Lewis. Synopsis: A wise and witty tale of a seemingly ordinary man who lives an extraordinary life. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, and Scott Speedman.

Blue Valentine directed by Derek Cianfrance. Synopsis: Flooded with romantic memories of their courtship, Dean and Cindy use one night to try and save their failing marriage. Cast includes Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

Casino Jack directed by George Hickenlooper. Synopsis: Notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff finds himself in bed with mafia assassins in this fact-inspired film. Cast includes Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Rachelle Lafevre, Jon Lovitz.

The Company Men directed by John Wells. Synopsis: Bobby Walker is living the American dream when corporate downsizing forces him and two co-workers to re-define their lives. Cast includes Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Maria Bello, and Rosemary DeWitt.

A special ensemble tribute to The King’s Speech will also serve as a gala screening. Director Tom Hooper and actors Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush will be in attendance.

Special Screenings were also announced:

Amigo directed by John Sayles. Synopsis: Parallels to current events abound in John Sayles’ compelling drama about the moral quandaries facing U.S. soldiers and local cooperators a century ago in the Philippine-American War. Cast includes Garret Dillahunt, Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, DJ Qualls, and Brian Lee Franklin.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams directed by Werner Herzog. Synopsis: Visionary director Werner Herzog takes us on a 3-D journey into the most distant past of human history as his camera encounters the 35,000-year-old paintings of the Chauvet Cave.

Made in Dagenham directed by Nigel Cole. Synopsis: Alongside 55,000 men, 187 women work as machinists in a car assembly plant and are paid a fraction of what the men earn.  The women go on strike, eventually leading to a national crisis. Cast includes Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Geraldine James, and Rosamund Pike.

Rabbit Hole directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Synopsis: A vivid, honest, hopeful and unexpectedly witty portrait of a family searching for what remains possible in the most impossible of all situations. Cast includes Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller, Tammy Blanchard, and Sandra Oh.

Opening night will serve as the world premiere of Love and Other Drugs, directed by Edward Zwick.  Synopsis: A satiric romp through the world of cutthroat Viagra sales stars Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal as mismatched lovers who discover that love is the ultimate drug.

Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan will continue its festival run by closing out the Fest. The film about a ballerina who is emotionally and physically ravaged by the demands of the profession stars Natalie Portman.

AFI Fest 2010 takes place in Hollywood, California at multiple venues.  It runs November 4- November 11.  If you are interested in attending the festival, or wish to purchase tickets, you can visit the AFI site here.