Los Angeles, U.S.A — On September 27, The American Film Institute (AFI) announced that Hitchcock, starring Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock, Academy Award winner Helen Mirren as his wife, Alma Reville, Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh, Jessica Biel as Vera Miles and James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins, will have its World Premiere on Thursday, November 1, as the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2012 presented by Audi.

The film is directed by Sacha Gervasi and also stars Toni Collette, Danny Huston and Michael Stuhlbarg. From a screenplay by John J. McLaughlin, the film is based on the book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello. Hitchcock is produced by Ivan Reitman, Tom Pollock and Joe Medjuck of Montecito Picture Company, along with Tom Thayer and Alan Barnette. Fox Searchlight Pictures will release the film this November.

Hitchcock, a love story about one of the most influential filmmakers of the last century, Alfred Hitchcock, and his wife and partner, Alma Reville, takes place during the making of the distinguished director’s seminal 1960 movie, ‘Psycho’.

“AFI’s history with Alfred Hitchcock is a proud one, from a Master Seminar at the AFI Conservatory in 1970 to his receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1979,” said Bob Gazzale, President and CEO of the American Film Institute.  “We are honored to celebrate his lasting legacy with the World Premiere of Hitchcock – a bloody valentine to his creative genius and the inspired woman at his side.”

“Alfred Hitchcock’s signature style has made him one of the most influential directors in the world,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST. ”This film pulls back the curtain and takes us behind-the-scenes of his lifelong collaboration with his wife Alma during the making of his 1960 masterpiece Psycho – it’s the perfect film to welcome our audience of movie-lovers with on opening night.”

Alfred Hitchcock has a rich legacy at the American Film Institute. He was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1979, the highest honor for a career in film, and four of his movies rank among the greatest films of all time on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies list: ‘Vertigo’ (#9), ‘Psycho’ (#14), ‘Rear Window’ (#48) and ‘North by Northwest’ (#55).

In addition, ‘Psycho’ was ranked #1 on AFI’s list of most heart pounding American films and, in a serendipitous turn, the Norman Bates character portrayed by Anthony Perkins in ‘Psycho’ was ranked #2 on AFI’s Top Villains list – just behind Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’.

Producer Tom Pollock also has an accomplished history with the American Film Institute. He received a Doctorate of Communication Arts, honoris causa in 2007 from the American Film Institute’s AFI Conservatory, and he serves as a Vice Chair on the American Film Institute’s Board of Trustees, which is comprised of leaders of the motion picture and television communities. Pollock has been an AFI Trustee since 1985, serving as Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees from 1996-1999 and Chair of the AFI Board of Directors from 1999-2001.

Hitchcock stars acclaimed actor Anthony Hopkins, who has been honored with an Academy Award for his lead performance in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and acclaimed actress Helen Mirren, who has been honored with an Academy Award for her lead performance in ‘The Queen’. Mirren also has ties with the American Film Institute – she was presented with a Doctorate of Fine Arts, honoris causa from the AFI Conservatory in 2011.

For the fourth consecutive year, AFI FEST will continue its unprecedented offer of free tickets to all screenings, but only the Star Patron Package and Marquee Patron Package will provide reserved seating at the World Premiere opening night gala of Hitchcock. These and other AFI FEST Patron Packages and Passes – which can include access to sold-out galas and other high-demand films and events – are on sale now at AFI.com/AFIFEST. The American Film Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and cultural organization, and Patron Packages are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Free individual tickets to AFI FEST screenings and galas will be available to AFI members onWednesday, October 24 in a 24-hour advance window before they become available to the general public on October 25. In addition, AFI members Two Star level and above receive a 10% discount on all Patron Packages and Passes.  Information about AFI Membership is available at AFI.com/membership.

AFI FEST, celebrating its 26th year, will take place November 1 through 8 in Hollywood, California, at the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. As previously announced, the Official World Premiere of Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is the festival’s closing night gala, and the full festival line-up will be unveiled in October.

Audi is the festival’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include American Airlines, the official airline of AFI; AT&T; Hewlett-Packard (HP); Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; Levi’s; Stella Artois; New Amsterdam Vodka; The American Film Market (AFM); and The Chinese Theatre, among many others.

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