Last week, the American Film Institute, AKA AFI, announced that the latest film directed by Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans, will have its US premiere at AFI Fest 2022. Spielberg co-wrote the film with Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter and Pulitzer-winning playwright Tony Kushner. The film is produced by Academy Award® nominee Kristie Macosko Krieger, Spielberg, and Kushner.

The Fabelmans stars four-time Academy Award® nominee Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, and Academy Award® nominee Judd Hirsch. The ensemble cast includes Oscar® nominee Jeannie Berlin, Julia Butters, Robin Bartlett and Keeley Karsten, with music by Academy Award® winner John Williams, cinematography by Academy Award® winner Janusz Kamiński (AFI Class of 1987) and editing by Oscar® winner Michael Kahn and Sarah Broshar (AFI Class of 2005). The film’s production designer is Academy Award® winner Rick Carter, and the costume designer is Oscar® winner Mark Bridges.

The Fabelmans will release on November 11th by Universal Pictures.

“AFI FEST is where magic happens,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “And there is no greater cinematic magician than Steven Spielberg. We are honored to celebrate his return to the festival with this intimately powerful film that will send the audience’s spirits soaring.”

In its 36th year, AFI Fest 2022 will not have a virtual option and will take place in Los Angeles, California, from November 2nd to November 6th. It will also blend in programming usually reserved for AFI Docs in response to the impact of the pandemic on film festivals.

Tickets and passes to AFI FEST 2022 will be available in October on FEST.AFI.com. AFI Members receive exclusive early access to purchase passes, tickets, and other benefits. To become an AFI member, visit AFI.com/join/.

My Take

This closing night film makes sense. It's nothing but a surefire way to keep people talking about AFI Fest long after its over. It's a Spielberg film, so it's guaranteed to be a hit with audiences, it's a likely contender for awards season, and attendees will get to see the film five days before release (although I'm sure press will have already seen it by then, considering it's already premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is only two months away).

Besides this, as someone whose first festival was AFI Fest 2020 and always looks forward to the festival every year, in-person only is a bit of a letdown. AFI's PR team have been amazing at getting me screeners of films that I wouldn't otherwise have access to, and now that's just gone. Additionally, I am slightly worried about the AFI Docs programming getting rolled into AFI Fest, given how expansive AFI Fest’s programming already is.

Realistaclly, I'd say the move to in-person will see my coverage of the festival reduced to a neglible amount since I can't afford to spend $1660 on a six day trip out to Los Angeles. That's more than six months of Patreon income, and I just can't swing that.

Until next time!

Thanks to Thomas Stoneham-Judge from Movies For Reel, Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, Matthew Simpson, Thom Blackburn, Aaliyah, Libby Stephenson, and Roze for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!