Robert De Niro‘s “The Comedian” will have its world premiere at 2016’s AFI Fest, The American Film Institute announced Friday.
The film stars Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Edie Falco, Veronica Ferres, Charles Grodin and Cloris Leachman, and will screen on Nov. 11 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Oscar winner Taylor Hackford directed the film based on a screenplay by Art Linson, who also produced alongside John Linson, Mark Canton, Courtney Solomon and Hackford.
The story follows aging comic icon Jackie (De Niro), who is forced to serve out a community service sentence for accosting an audience member. While there, he meets Harmony (Mann), and the two find inspiration in one another.
AFI’s Opening Night Gala will be the world premiere of “Rules Don’t Apply,” directed by Warren Beatty, on Nov. 10. It was also previously announced that Isabelle Huppert will be honored with a tribute on Nov. 13, followed by a Centerpiece Gala screening of Paul Verhoeven‘s “Elle.”
Adam McKay‘s “The Big Short,” Will Smith‘s “Concussion” and Antonio Banderas‘ “The 33” had their world premieres at last year’s AFI festival, the former closing the fest on Nov. 12. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt‘s “By The Sea” had its world premiere on Nov. 5 as part of the Opening Night Gala.
This year’s AFI Fest will take place on Nov. 10 to Nov. 17 in Hollywood, California. The full festival lineup and schedule will be unveiled later this month.