World Premiere Of BY THE SEA To Open AFI Fest 2015 Presented By Audi

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that the World Premiere of Universal Pictures' BY THE SEA —  written, directed, produced by and starring Academy Award^® winner Angelina Jolie Pitt and also starring and produced by Academy Award ^® winner Brad Pitt  —  will be the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi on Thursday, November 5, at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.  The film features an international cast that includes Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Arestrup and Richard Bohringer.  Available now at AFI.com are festival passes for purchase, which ensure reserved seats for Opening Night.

The 29^th edition of AFI FEST takes place November 5–12, 2015, in the heart of Hollywood.  Screenings and Galas will be held at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Dolby Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.  The full festival lineup and schedule will be unveiled in October.

"Time and again, Angelina Jolie Pitt has proven herself an artist of the highest caliber," said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO.  "It is an honor for AFI to celebrate her latest story with its World Premiere – and in doing so – to shine a proper light upon her boundless creative energies as actor, director, writer and producer."

"AFI has long supported the boldness and experimentation that accompanies provocative cinema," said Jolie Pitt.  "As a filmmaker, and on behalf of our cast and crew, I am honored to launch the film at the Opening Night Gala for AFI FEST."

"We are launching this year's AFI FEST with a film that is fueled by the influence of both American and foreign cinema.  Angelina Jolie Pitt's intelligent artistry in BY THE SEA proves that she is one of today's most creative and expressive filmmakers.  It is a perfect way to kick off what will be eight days of incredible films from Hollywood and across the globe," said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST.

AFI FEST remains the only global event of its caliber to offer free individual tickets to screenings and events as a gift to the community.  These free tickets will be available to the general public online at AFI.com beginning Monday, October 26.  Available for purchase now at AFI.com are AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes — which can include access to sold-out Galas and other high-demand films and events.

As part of their membership benefit, AFI members will receive a complimentary AFI FEST Cinepass, which allows access to all regular screenings at this year's festival.  Additionally, AFI members at the Two-Star level and above level receive a 10% discount on all AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes.  Information about AFI membership is available at AFI.com/membership.

For the 12^th consecutive year, AFI FEST is proud to have Audi as the presenting sponsor.  Additional top sponsors include AT&T; American Airlines, the official airline of AFI; and VIZIO. 

About BY THE SEA

BY THE SEA follows an American writer named Roland (Pitt) and his wife, Vanessa (Jolie Pitt), who arrive in a tranquil and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France, their marriage in apparent crisis.  As they spend time with fellow travelers, including young newlyweds Lea (Laurent) and François (Poupaud), and village locals Michel (Arestrup) and Patrice (Bohringer), the couple begins to come to terms with unresolved issues in their own lives.  In its style, and its treatment of themes of the human experience, BY THE SEA is inspired by European cinema and theater of the 1960s and 1970s.

Jolie Pitt is joined behind-the-scenes by a key crew that includes cinematographer Christian Berger (THE WHITE RIBBON), who used his Cine Reflect Lighting System to shoot the film; production designer Jon Hutman (UNBROKEN); editor Patricia Rommel (THE LIVES OF OTHERS); and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick (WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS).  Pitt joins her in production duties, while Chris Brigham (INCEPTION), Holly Goline-Sadowski (UNBROKEN) and Michael Vieira (UNBROKEN) serve as executive producers.  To learn more about BY THE SEA, visit the film's official website at www.bytheseamovie.net.

About the American Film Institute

AFI is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers.  AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film; AFI AWARDS, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI's 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory.  For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

About AFI FEST presented by Audi

A program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a celebration of global cinema and today's Hollywood — a showcase for the best festival films of the year and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world.  AFI FEST is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public.  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards^®.  This year's edition takes place November 5-12, 2015.  Additional information about AFI FEST is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST.  Connect with AFI FEST at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFIFEST.

About Audi

Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally.  The Audi Group delivered over 1,741,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2014, and broke all-time company sales records for the 5^th straight year in the U.S.  Through 2019, AUDI AG plans to invest about 24 billion euros - 70 percent of the investment will flow into the development of new models and technologies.  Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusa.com/newsroom for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

Festival artwork is available for press use only and can be downloaded at http://afifestpress.afi.com. 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150827/261708

SOURCE American Film Institute

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