Hot awards contenders The Artist, Carnage, The Lady, My Week With Marilyn and Shame (pictured) are the centerpiece galas at the imminent AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi along with Law Of Desire: An Evening With Pedro Almodovar, who is the guest director this year.

Festival director Jacqueline Lyanga and her team also unveiled on Tuesday (18) 11 special screenings for the 25th anniversary festival, which is set to run in Hollywood from Nov 3-10 and as previously announced opens with the world premiere of Clint Eastwood’s biopic J Edgar starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Special screenings include Rampart, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Coriolanus, Into The Abyss, Melancholia and The Kid With A Bike.

Rounding out the selection are Butter, I Melt With You, Miss Bala, Pina and Jeff, Who Lives At Home.

For the third consecutive year, AFI FEST will offer free tickets to all screenings.

For further details related to the festival visit the official website.