What will you do the morning following Halloween?
Will you take the orange lights and pumpkin decorations off the front door? Will you return your costume to the rental shop? Will you rummage around the candy bowl for one more chocolate bar? Or will you hop on those famous free tickets to AFI FEST?
Some people might be engaging in all four pursuits in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 1, though movie mavens might move the AFI FEST to-do to the top of the roster.
For the first day of November is the day when the pay-nothing tickets to the Hollywood-based film festival will become available, and do they ever go, go, go.
That's because the multi-day screening-heavy festival isn't too long away — Nov. 10 through 17 are the 2016 dates — and a bevy of Really Big Films typically make their U.S. debuts or another type of big-deal showing during the party's run.
Should it be noted that the films' stars usually show for a quick cameo at the more major roll-outs? It should be noted (and, yes, head for the TCL Chinese Theatre's forecourt during AFI FEST Presented by Audi and you'll see a Hollywood-style hullabaloo of flashing lightbulbs and red-carpet-y poses).
Should it be noted that Audi, which is the presenter of the large-scale celluloid celebration, is the company behind all of those free tickets? It should be, absolutely. (And, yes, the web site will explain all on getting those free tickets, so head for the AFI FEST online HQ.)
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
Should we point out that "AFI FEST remains the only global event of its caliber to offer free individual tickets to screenings and events as a gift to the community"?
It's beyond a big deal, really, for film fans near and from points beyond Southern California.
There are a lot of moving parts to this movie-loving spectacular, from the various venues around Tinseltown (with the TCL Chinese Theatre being the centerpiece) to other special happenings, but as far as what films will show? Warren Beatty's "Rules Don't Apply," "La La Land" from "Whiplash" helmer Damien Chazelle, and tributes to Annette Bening and Isabelle Hubbert are all on the gem-studded schedule.
There are passes, too, that are not free but allow the person who plans on seeing a slew of different flicks the chance to do so, with a few built-in perks included.
AFI FEST is truly one of the doors into awards season, which is on the near horizon. That this open door doesn't have a price tag next to it, and that tickets remain free, is one of fall's fun pleasures for local film fans, and those fans who arrive in town to be a part of the starry action.
