Venice Golden Lion winner From Afar, Mustang and James White are among selections in the New Auteurs and American Independents sections at AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi, set to run from November 5–12.

Land And Shade

The New Auteurs section highlights 11 first and second-time narrative directors whose films are eligible for the grand jury prize and includes From Afar (Desde Allá) and Critics Week France 4 Visionary Award winner Land And Shade (pictured).

The American Independents strand represents nine films from returning directors whom AFI FEST programmers believe have created the best of independent filmmaking this year. Entries include James White, Krisha and FIeld Niggas.

As previously announced, the opening night gala will be the world premiere of Angelina Pitt Jolie’s By The Sea on November 5, the centerpiece gala will be the world premiere of Peter Landesman’s Concussion on November 10 and the closing night gala will be the world premiere of Adam McKay’s The Big Short on November 12.

New Auteurs line-up:

From Afar (Desde Allá, Venezuela-Mexico), dir Lorenzo Vigas
US premiere;

Disorder (France-Belgium), dir Matthias Schoenaerts;

Evolution (France), dir Lucile Hadžihalilović;

The Gulls (Chaiki, Russian federation), dir Ella Manzheeva
North American premiere;

Ixcanul – (Guatemala-France), dir Jayro Bustamante;

Land And Shade (La Tierra Y La Sombra, Colombia-France-Netherlands-Chile-Brazil), dir César Augusto Acevedo
US premiere;

Mediterranea, (Italy-France-USA-Germany), dir Jonas Carpignano;

Mountain (Israel-Denmark), dir Yaelle Kayam
US premiere;

Mustang (France-Germany-Turkey), dir Deniz Gamze Ergüven;

Sworn Virgin (Vergine Giurata, Italy-Switzerland-Germany-Albania-Republic Of Kosovo), dir Laura Bispuri;

Until I Lose My Breath (Turkey-Germany), dir, Emine Emel Balcı
North American Premiere.

American Independents line-up:

Bob And The Trees (USA), dir Diego Ongaro;

Field Niggas (USA), dir Khalik Allah;

Funny Bunny (USA), dir Alison Bagnall;

H. (USA-Argentina), dir Rania Attieh, Daniel Garcia;

James White (USA), dir Josh Mond;

Krisha (USA), dir Trey Edward Shults;

Men Go To Battle (USA), dir Zachary Treitz;

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (USA), dir Chloé Zhao; and

Stinking Heaven (USA), dir Nathan Silver.

The full festival line-up and schedule will be unveiled on October 21. The 29th edition of AFI FEST will take place from November 5–12. Once again the festival will offer free tickets to screenings and events that become available on October 26.

For the 12th consecutive year Audi is the presenting sponsor. Additional top sponsors include AT&T; American Airlines and VIZIO. The festival’s venue sponsors include TCL Chinese Theatres, Dolby Theatre, the Hollywood & Highland Center, The Hollywood Roosevelt and the Egyptian Theatre.

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