‘Out of the Furnace,’ ‘Walter Mitty’ and ‘Nebraska’ Head To AFI FEST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA, September 30, 2013
– The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today additional red carpet
Centerpiece Galas at AFI FEST presented by Audi, including the World Premiere
of Scott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACE;
Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA, accompanied
by a Tribute to Bruce Dern; and THE
SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY, directed by and starring Ben Stiller and
produced by AFI Conservatory alumnus Stuart Cornfeld, recipient of the Franklin
J. Schaffner Alumni Medal at the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony held last
June. All galas will be presented in the historic TCL Theatre.

As previously announced, the
North American Premiere of SAVING
MR. BANKS (DIR John Lee Hancock) is
the Opening Night Gala and INSIDE
LLEWYN DAVIS (DIR Ethan Coen, Joel
Coen) is the Closing Night Gala.  The Guest Artistic Director
is Agnès Varda.  The previously announced FOXCATCHER Premiere is no longer part of the AFI FEST program, due to
the shift of the film’s release date to 2014.

“Our Centerpiece Galas reflect
the diverse cinematic experience at AFI FEST, from our smaller independent
films to larger studio releases. We are thrilled to have the World Premiere of
OUT OF THE FURNACE; to honor the legendary Bruce Dern for his outstanding
career and his brilliant performance in NEBRASKA; and to take the audience on a
journey with THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI FEST
Festival Director.  Commenting on the
news that the previously announced Premiere of FOXCATCHER would move to next
year, Lyanga added, “AFI will be proud to celebrate FOXCATCHER when Bennett
Miller and his talented team are ready to share it with the world.”

For
the fifth consecutive year, AFI FEST will offer free tickets to all screenings,
but only the Patron Packages will
provide reserved seating for the festival’s announced galas.  These and other AFI FEST Passes are on sale
now at AFI.com/AFIFEST.