AFI Film Festival 2023 Returns to Hollywood

American Film Institute's Film Festival 2023 formally kicks off today at the iconic TCL Chinese theater in Los Angeles, California. Hardcore film enthusiasts will have the chance to whet their appetite for movies as it showcases the best films from across the globe with a diverse and innovative slate of programming. The AFI film festival will run from October 25-29 and fans can purchase their tickets here: Tickets | AFI FEST

(Netflix's "Leave the World Behind" boasts a powerhouse cast led by Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke. Photo Credit: AFI)

To start the festivities, a red-carpet premiere of Netflix's "Leave the World Behind" starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Myha'la will air at 7 pm tonight at the TCL Chinese theater.

(Teaser courtesy of AFI)

After the world premiere, fans can then head out to Chinese 1 theater at 8:30 pm to watch a powerful documentary about women's journey to be respected and to be recognize in sports.

COPA' 71. Photo Credit; AFI

Executive produced by Venus and Serena Williams, COPA ‘71 centers on a long-forgotten 1971 tournament held in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium two decades before the first FIFA-sanctioned Women’s World Cup. Six teams from Europe and Latin America compete for the title amidst a fervor usually reserved for the men’s competition including lucrative sponsorship deals, merchandise on sale in every corner and extensive TV coverage. The final match, a frenetic battle between Denmark and Mexico, plays in front of a crowd of over 100,000 spectators. Over 50 years later, filmmakers Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine shine a spotlight on one of the most electrifying competitions in sports history, while weaving dazzling archival footage and interviews with the former players for an eye-opening dive into the historic struggles female soccer players have faced over the last century. –Javier Chavez

For a full schedule grid of screenings and Q & A, visit the following link: FEST – SCHEDULE | AFI FEST