Lions For Lambs, the inaugural release under Paula Wagner and Tom
Cruise's revamped United Artists, will get its North American premiere
when it opens the AFI FEST in Los Angeles on Nov 1.


The announcement suggests the film is likely to receive its world
premiere at the 51st BFI London Film Festival that runs from Oct
17-Nov 1, given that it is not screening in either Venice or Toronto.

The film's powerhouse cast of Cruise, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford,
and the fact that Redford returns to the director's chair for the
first time since 2000's The Legend Of Bagger Vance, makes this a
significant coup for AFI FEST.

Lions For Lambs is part of a wave of Hollywood films that address the
themes of terrorism and America at war this upcoming season, and
explores the political repercussions after two servicemen go missing
behind enemy lines in Afghanistan.

'We are incredibly proud that AFI has chosen Lions For Lambs for its
Opening Night Gala,' UA's chief executive officer Wagner said. 'We
think it's an exciting film and an important film, and this is the
perfect way to introduce it to the public.'

The AFI FEST Opening Night Gala will mark the first day on the job for
AFI's new president and chief executive officer Bob Gazzale, who
succeeds Jean Picker Firstenberg to become only the third person to
lead the American Film Institute since Lyndon B Johnson announced the
institute's creation in 1967.

AFI FEST 2007 will run from Nov 1-11. For further details visit www.AFI.com.

Topics