40TH ANNIVERSARY ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES KEY FILM

ATLANTA, GA — The 40th annual Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) has announced its key film programming that will take place during the 10-day event from April 1 – 10, 2016. In addition to the previously announced lineup of more than 150 feature length and short films, the 2016 festival will present Opening Night and Closing Night gala screenings with talent appearances, as well as eight Marquee screening events.

To kick off the 40th anniversary fest, ATLFF is pleased to welcome an Atlanta-made feature film, THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING, as the Opening Night presentation on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Plaza Theatre. The film stars Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez and Jennifer Ehle and was lensed in Atlanta last year. Director Rob Burnett (WE MADE THIS MOVIE, The Late Show with David Letterman) is expected to return to Atlanta to attend the Opening Night celebration.

Marquee screenings that will take place throughout the festival include a mix of studio and independent films that span a wide assortment of subject matters and styles of filmmaking, highlighted by two events with talent appearances. Cast members Tyler Hoechlin, Ryan Guzman and Blake Jenner are scheduled to appear at the Saturday, April 2, 2016 Marquee screening of EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!! from director Richard Linklater (DAZED AND CONFUSED). On Sunday, April 3, 2016, festival goers will get a first-look screening of HBO’s CONFIRMATION, with star Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Treme) scheduled to be in attendance. Pierce co-stars in the made-in-Atlanta feature film alongside Kerry Washington, Greg Kinnear, Eric Stonestreet and Jennifer Hudson.

Additional Marquee screenings include the Jane Austen-period drama LOVE & FRIENDSHIP starring Kate Beckinsale and Chloë Sevigny; director, writer and star Don Cheadle’s exploration into the life and music of Miles Davis in MILES AHEAD; a rousing documentary about a star-crossed singer-songwriter, PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW; an exclusive sneak preview of SIREN, the Georgia-made feature adaptation of a segment from the horror anthology V/H/S; the Pink Peach selection from director Paddy Breathnach, VIVA; and from ATLFF’s New Mavericks track, a presentation of THE FITS.

ATLFF will close with MORRIS FROM AMERICA, a heartwarming and crowd-pleasing coming-of-age comedy with a unique spin starring Craig Robinson (THIS IS THE END, HOT TUB TIME MACHINE). Filmmaker Chad Hartigan (LUKE AND BRIE ARE ON A FIRST DATE, THIS IS MARTIN BRONNER) is expected to attend the Closing Night gala screening on Saturday, April 9, 2016.