The Los Angeles festival has weighed into awards season with an eye-catching world premiere slot for Angelina Jolie Pitt’s marriage drama.

By The Sea

By The Sea reunites Jolie Pitt and Brad Pitt on screen for the first time since Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005 and will open the festival on November 5.

The film centres on a troubled couple who attempt to resolve their marital issues while on vacation at a French seaside resort in the 1970s.

Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Arestrup and Richard Bohringer also star. Universal is scheduled to open the film in North America on November 13.

“Time and again, Angelina Jolie Pitt has proven herself an artist of the highest calibre,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “It is an honour 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 honoured 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,” said AFI FEST director Jacqueline Lyanga.

“Angelina Jolie Pitt’s intelligent artistry in By The Sea proves that she is among the most creative and expressive filmmakers today. It is a perfect way to kick off what will be eight days of incredible films from Hollywood and across the globe.”

AFI FEST presented by Audi is set to run from November 5-12. Organisers will announce the full line-up in October.