Earlier today, the American Film Institute (AFI) announced that Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay will serve as Guest Artistic Director of AFI Fest 2022. DuVernay has selected three independent films that amplify women directors: Hellion, directed by Kat Candler and starring Academy Award®-nominee Juliette Lewis and Aaron Paul; Mosquita Y Mari, directed by Aurora Guerrero; and Yelling to the Sky, directed by Victoria Mahoney and starring Academy Award®-nominee Gabourey Sidibe and Zoë Kravitz. Other than these screenings, Ava DuVernay will moderate a panel featuring the directors, all of whom are directing the acclaimed drama series, Queen Sugar.

“AFI Fest holds a special place in my heart and career. My feature directorial debut I Will Follow made its Los Angeles premiere at AFI Fest 2010,” said DuVernay. “I still remember the feeling of validation and encouragement. It meant so much to me as a first-time woman director to be seen and embraced. So, it is a true honor to be invited to serve as the Guest Artistic Director. In this position, I’ve chosen to spotlight the role of women directors in independent cinema by sharing the work of three remarkable helmers: Kat Candler, Aurora Guerrero and Victoria Mahoney. This trio of filmmakers cut their teeth in indie film and have gone onto direct dynamic work in all formats following their television debuts on my series Queen Sugar. With this programming, I want to wave a flag for what can happen when women have the opportunity and support that is consistent with our male counterparts. Beautiful things blossom. My thanks to AFI Fest for agreeing with and amplifying that notion.”

“The world looks to visionary artists to create a brighter future, and Ava DuVernay is leading the way,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO. “We are honored to shine a proper light upon her selections – films that will inspire audiences and artists alike.”

Previous Guest Artistic Directors for AFI Fest include Pedro Almodóvar, Bernardo Bertolucci, Agnès Varda, and David Lynch, an Alumnus of the AFI Conservatory.

About the films

HELLION

Written and directed by Kat Candler

Featuring remarkably nuanced, heart-wrenching performances, this vérité-style drama set in southeastern Texas follows motocross-obsessed 13-year-old Jacob Wilson, in a breakout performance from Josh Wiggins, whose behavior becomes increasingly delinquent after the death of his mother. When Child Protective Services places his little brother with their aunt (Juliette Lewis), Jacob and his emotionally absent father (Aaron Paul) struggle to take responsibility for their actions and to support one another, which they will need to do in order to bring Wes home.

MOSQUITA Y MARI

Written and directed by Aurora Guerrero

When Yolanda Olveros meets her new neighbor Mari Rodriguez, all they see in each other are their differences. A sheltered only child, Yolanda’s sole concern is fulfilling her parents’ dream of a college-bound future. With her father’s recent death, streetwise Mari, the elder of two, carries her sister's weight as their mother works to keep them above water. But despite their contrasting realities, Yolanda and Mari are soon brought together when Mari is threatened with expulsion after saving Yolanda from an incident at school. The girls forge a friendship that soon proves more complex than anticipated when they unexpectedly share an intimate moment.

YELLING TO THE SKY

Written and directed by Victoria Mahoney

As her family falls apart, 17-year-old Sweetness O’Hara (Zoë Kravitz) is left to fend for herself in a neighborhood where her survival is uncertain. After suffering abuse from bully Latonya (Gabourey Sidibe) and her father’s violent behavior causes her mother and sister to move out, Sweetness spirals downward, becoming violent and aggressive, selling drugs, and getting suspended from school in this emotional drama nominated for a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

As previously announced

Other AFI Fest 2022 announcements include the World Premiere of Apple Original Film's Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me opening the festival, Amblin's The Fablemans, directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, will close AFI Fest 2022. Red Carpet Premieres include Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Is That Black Enough For You?!?, She Said, The Son, and Living.

AFI Fest 2022 will take place in Los Angeles exclusively from November 2nd to November 6th. Tickets and passes to AFI Fest 2022 will be available to AFI members beginning on October 3rd and to the public starting October 4th on FEST.AFI.com.

AFI Members receive exclusive early access to purchase passes and tickets and other exclusive benefits. To become an AFI member, visit AFI.com/join/.

Until next time!

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