Angelina Jolie Pitt’s BY THE SEA To Open AFI Fest 2015

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that the World Premiere of Universal Pictures’ BY THE SEA – written, directed, produced by and starring Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie Pitt and also starring and produced by Academy Award  winner Brad Pitt – will be the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi on Thursday, November 5, at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The film features an international cast that includes Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Arestrup and Richard Bohringer.

BY THE SEA follows an American writer named Roland (Pitt) and his wife, Vanessa (Jolie Pitt), who arrive in a tranquil and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France, their marriage in apparent crisis. As they spend time with fellow travelers, including young newlyweds Lea (Laurent) and François (Poupaud), and village locals Michel (Arestrup) and Patrice (Bohringer), the couple begins to come to terms with unresolved issues in their own lives. In its style, and its treatment of themes of the human experience, BY THE SEA is inspired by European cinema and theater of the 1960s and 1970s.

Jolie Pitt is joined behind-the-scenes by a key crew that includes cinematographer Christian Berger (THE WHITE RIBBON), who used his Cine Reflect Lighting System to shoot the film; production designer Jon Hutman (UNBROKEN); editor Patricia Rommel (THE LIVES OF OTHERS); and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick (WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS). Pitt joins her in production duties, while Chris Brigham (INCEPTION), Holly Goline-Sadowski (UNBROKEN) and Michael Vieira (UNBROKEN) serve as executive producers.

Available now at AFI.com are festival passes for purchase, which ensure reserved seats for Opening Night.

The 29th edition of AFI FEST takes place November 5–12, 2015, in the heart of Hollywood. Screenings and Galas will be held at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Dolby Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The full festival lineup and schedule will be unveiled in October.

“Time and again, Angelina Jolie Pitt has proven herself an artist of the highest caliber,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “It is an honor for AFI to celebrate her latest story with its World Premiere – and in doing so – to shine a proper light upon her boundless creative energies as actor, director, writer and producer.”

“AFI has long supported the boldness and experimentation that accompanies provocative cinema,” said Jolie Pitt. “As a filmmaker, and on behalf of our cast and crew, I am honored to launch the film at the Opening Night Gala for AFI FEST.”

“We are launching this year’s AFI FEST with a film that is fueled by the influence of both American and foreign cinema. Angelina Jolie Pitt’s intelligent artistry in BY THE SEA proves that she is one of today’s most creative and expressive filmmakers. It is a perfect way to kick off what will be eight days of incredible films from Hollywood and across the globe,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST.

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. These free tickets will be available to the general public online at AFI.com beginning Monday, October 26. Available for purchase now at AFI.com are AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes — which can include access to sold-out Galas and other high-demand films and events.

As part of their membership benefit, AFI members will receive a complimentary AFI FEST Cinepass, which allows access to all regular screenings at this year’s festival. Additionally, AFI members at the Two-Star level and above level receive a 10% discount on all AFI FEST Patron Packages and Express Passes. Information about AFI membership is available at AFI.com/membership.

To learn more about BY THE SEA, visit the film’s official website at www.bytheseamovie.net.