AFI FEST 2025

The AFI FEST 2025, presented by Canva, is just around the corner! It’s happening in Los Angeles from October 22–27, 2025 and promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the best in global cinema, storytelling, and community. Screenings are planned for the classic TCL Chinese Theatre complex in the heart of Hollywood, and at landmark Hollywood venues, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and film lovers from across the globe.

As one of the most anticipated film festivals in North America, the American Film Institute continues its legacy of championing bold storytelling, emerging voices, and cinematic excellence from around the world.

The full program has been announced and Festival passes are now on sale. A festival pass is the best way to experience all that AFI FEST has to offer. At this year’s festival, held at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, they are offering a Patron Pass and a Star Pass. AFI members receive early access and exclusive perks.

AFI FEST passes feature access to screenings and the Festival Lounge, free merch and so much more. Learn more about your pass options as passes are limited. If you have any questions, please email the organizers at FEST.BoxOffice@AFI.com or call Guest Services at 866-AFI-FEST.

The Lineup:

Organized by the American Film Institute, AFI FEST has long been a launchpad for awards-season contenders and breakthrough talent. Recent editions have premiered films that went on to earn critical acclaim and major accolades. AFI FEST 2025 looks to continue that tradition, while spotlighting a new wave of diverse and visionary filmmakers.

This year’s edition promises an exciting lineup of world premieres, red carpet galas, international features, groundbreaking documentaries, and short films, all curated to ignite conversation and celebrate the power of film. As always, the festival will feature in-person screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and special panels, offering audiences a chance to connect with the creative minds behind the year’s most compelling works.

Featuring 161 films in total; Representing 56 countries; 19 submissions for Best International Feature Oscar® included

 • 7 Red Carpet Premieres 
 • 12 Special Screenings 
 • 14 Luminaries selections 
 • 15 Discovery films 
 • 20 World Cinema titles 
 • 15 Documentaries 
 • 6 After Dark presentations 
 • 44 in the Short Film Competition 
 • 23 films from the AFI Conservatory Showcase presented by AMC Networks

• 5 World Premieres, 5 North American Premieres, 5 U.S. Premieres

• Of all selected films, 39% are directed by women, and 29% by BIPOC filmmakers

Highlight Titles & Special Sections:

Red Carpet Premieres & Galas

These are among the highest-profile events, often with cast & crew in attendance. The Red Carpet slate includes:

• Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (Opening)

• Jay Kelly

• Nuremberg

• Dead Man’s Wire

• Christy

• The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

• Song Sung Blue (Closing World Premiere)

Special Screenings:

These curated selections include U.S. or world premieres, revival screenings, and more:
Titles confirmed include Bad Apples, Bugonia, The Choral, The Chronology of Water, Is This Thing On?, A Magnificent Life, Merrily We Roll Along, Nebraska Live (world premiere), Rebuilding, Rental Family, The Testament of Ann Lee, and Train Dreams

After Dark:

For more daring, boundary-pushing fare, the “After Dark” block includes:

• By Design

• Endless Cookie

• Fucktoys

• Mārama

• Morte Cucina

• Straight Circle

World & International Cinema:

Some standout global works announced:

• Father Mother Sister Brother (Jim Jarmusch)

• The Voice of Hind Rajab (Kaouther Ben‑Hania)

• Ghost Elephants (Werner Herzog)

• La Grazia (Paolo Sorrentino)

• Silent Friend (Ildikó Enyedi)

• Left‑Handed Girl (Shih‑Ching Tsou)

• Amoeba (Siyou Tan)

• Divine Comedy (Ali Asgari)

• Morte Cucina (Pen‑Ek Ratanaruang)

• My Armenian Phantoms (Tamara Stepanyan)

• Olmo (Fernando Eimbcke)

• The Ozu Diaries (Daniel Raim)

• Phantoms of July (Julian Radlmaier)

• The Great Arch (Stéphane Demoustier)

• Plus new works from auteurs such as Fatih Akin, Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Lav Diaz, Nadav Lapid, Sergei Loznitsa, László Nemes, Amanda Kramer, Christian Petzold, Ira Sachs, Hong Sang-soo, Carla Simón and more.

Documentaries:

Among the non‑fiction showcases:

• Andy Kaufman Is Me (Clay Tweel)

• Below the Clouds (Gianfranco Rosi)

• Cover‑Up (Laura Poitras & Mark Obenhaus)

• The Eyes of Ghana (Ben Proudfoot)

• Holding Liat (Brandon Kramer)

• I Was Born This Way (Daniel Junge & Sam Pollard)

• Love + War (Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin)

• The Tale of Silyan (Tamara Kotevska)

• Seeds (Brittany Shyne)

• Selena y Los Dinos (Isabel Castro)

Shorts & AFI Conservatory Showcase:

• 44 short films selected for competition: live action, documentary, animation, etc.

• 23 films from the AFI Conservatory Showcase presented by AMC Networks

Guest Artistic Director Spotlight:

This year’s festival honors Guillermo del Toro as Guest Artistic Director. He has personally selected a small retro‑program of favorites that will screen during the festival, each paired with introductions:

• Barry Lyndon (Stanley Kubrick)

• Fellini’s Casanova (Federico Fellini)

• The Duellists (Ridley Scott)

• Arcane Sorcerer (Pupi Avati)

Tickets, Passes & Venues:

• The festival is in person only, with screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatre and the adjacent TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood.

• Pass types include Patron Pass (premium) and Star Pass, with priority access and ticket selection windows.

• 10‑ticket bundles will be sold (excluding Red Carpet Premieres) at $175. fest.afi.com+2fest.afi.com+2

• Individual tickets:
   • Feature film screenings (non‑Red Carpet): $19
   • Shorts programs: $12
   • Red Carpet tickets: $25 (matinee) / $30 (evening)

• Passholders and bundle buyers get early access to ticket selection; public sales open October 6. 

• Rush lines (standby) will be available for sold-out screenings; passes and bundle owners may receive free admission via rush.