Posted by Larry Gleeson

#DriveProgress Large-Scale Art Installation “Changing the Chairs” to Debut at Festival

Tickets and Passes to Screenings Available Online and at Newly Opened AT&T Box Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Los Angeles, CA, November 14, 2019 — The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the sponsors and cultural supporters for AFI FEST 2019 presented by Audi, which takes place November 14-21 in Hollywood, CA, at the TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres and The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Visit FEST.AFI.COM to view this year’s lineup.

Audi returns for the 16th year as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AFI FEST, enabling the festival to host the very best of world cinema. Audi and their visionary support reflect a continuing commitment to create opportunities for equality in film and television.

Audi also supports AFI through the Audi Fellowship for Women, a full-tuition scholarship program that supports promising female directors entering the AFI Conservatory. This Fellowship is part of the Audi commitment to drive progress and a landmark investment in the future of the storytelling community. Through their #DriveProgress initiative, Audi will launch their “Changing the Chairs” campaign at AFI FEST which celebrates, embraces and recognizes the change happening now within the industry with more women directing big-budget films, more women in leadership positions and more opportunities for women to share their perspectives.

As part of the campaign, Audi worked with artist Kate Raudenbush to create a large-scale art installation that illuminates the success made by female directors, honors those who helped pave the way and advocates that more stories need to be told by women. The installation will be stationed at the TCL Chinese Theatre beginning the opening night with companion pieces in the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres lobby and The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel lobby. In addition, Natalie Camou, the first Audi Fellow, directed a video content piece for the initiative that will coincide with the installation and the launch of the campaign at this year’s AFI FEST. The piece can be viewed at https://youtu.be/5BLgNjO-ltk.

This year’s Premium Sponsors are Apple and AT&T. AT&T is returning with the AT&T Box Office, and for the first time will be sponsoring the AFI FEST Filmmaker Welcome Party. American Airlines returns as the Official Airline of AFI FEST and is the Official Airline of AFI. Festival Sponsors include 30 for 30 (ESPN), AMC Networks, CineSend, Lagunitas Brewing Company, La Marca Prosecco, National Geographic Documentary Films, Netflix, Panavision, SAG-AFTRA, SAGindie, and Select Aperitivo, with National Geographic Documentary Films hosting a Documentary Celebration.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood & Highland Center and TCL Chinese Theatre are the festival’s Official Hotel and Venue Sponsors.

Contributing Sponsors include Dalmore Scotch, Diplomático Rum, Fleur de Mer Rosé, J Vineyards and Winery California Pinot Noir, Louis M. Martini, the Nancy Malone Estate, Montenegro Amaro, Alan J. Pakula Memorial Fund and Saint Clair Estate Sauvignon Blanc.

Boxed Water, Elevent, Quixote, SmartSource and US Blanks are Sustaining Sponsors.

Supporting Sponsors include The Bagel Broker and SoCal Self Storage.

This year’s Cultural Sponsor is the Farhang Foundation.

Additional cultural support will be provided by the Consulate General of Austria, Consulate General of Belgium, Consulate General of Canada, Consulate General of France – French Mission for Cultural Affairs and the Creative Industries, Consulate General of Germany, Consulate General of Indonesia, Consulate General of Poland, European Languages and Movies in America (ELMA), Japan Foundation LA, Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles (KCCLA), Polish Film Festival, Québec Government Office in Los Angeles, Telefilm Canada, TV5MONDE and UNIFRANCE.

The Primary Media Partner of the festival is the Los Angeles Times. Official Media Partners include Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, International Documentary Association, Meet the Press, Time Out, Variety and The Wall Street Journal. Affiliate Media Partners include 89.3 KPCC, American Cinematographer, Backstage, Deadline, Here Media, IndieWire, KCRW 89.9FM, KTLA, LA Confidential Magazine, LAist, LA Weekly, Los Angeleno, MovieMaker Magazine, OUTFRONT Media, Screen International, The Wrap and Yelp.

The full program can be viewed at FEST.AFI.COM. Individual tickets to AFI FEST screenings are available to the general public online at FEST.AFI.COM or at the AT&T Box Office at Hollywood & Highland. AFI Premiere Circle members receive unparalleled access to AFI FEST, including tickets to Galas, after-parties and more.

Additional passes are also on sale now at FEST.AFI.COM and AFI Star members and above receive a special discount. The American Film Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and cultural organization, and Premiere Circle memberships are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

About the American Film Institute (AFI).

Established in 1967, the American Film Institute is the nation’s non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring artists and audiences through initiatives that champion the past, present, and future of the moving image. AFI’s pioneering programs include filmmaker training at the AFI Conservatory; year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center and at AFI Festivals across the nation; workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community; honoring today’s masters through the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI AWARDS; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films that uphold film history for future generations. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, youtube.com/AFI, twitter.com/American Film, and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

About AFI FEST presented by Audi

Now in its 33rd year, AFI FEST presented by Audi is a world-class event, showcasing the best films from across the globe to captivated audiences in Los Angeles. With a diverse and innovative slate of programming, the eight-day festival presents screenings, panels and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new voices. World premieres, Galas and other special events take place at iconic LA locations, such as the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and the glamorous Hollywood Roosevelt. This year’s edition takes place on November 14-21, 2019. 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/AFI.

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, delivering about 1.812 million vehicles globally in 2018. In the U.S., Audi of America sold nearly 224,000 vehicles in 2018. 2019 marks 50 years for the brand in the U.S. Visit audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

(Source: Press release AFI News)