The American Film Institute announced that Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures’ “The Adventures of Tintin,” directed by Steven Spielberg, will have its North American Premiere as the closing night gala of AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi.
The film is based on the internationally beloved characters created by Hergé and stars Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. Spielberg, Peter Jackson and Kathleen Kennedy will produce with Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish writing the screenplay. The story follows the young reporter Tintin and his loyal dog, Snowy, as they discover a ship carrying an explosive secret that may hold the key to vast fortune and an ancient curse.
“Steven Spielberg is a national treasure," said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. "He has written this nation's cultural legacy over four decades, he inspires artists and audiences alike and he honors us all by premiering “The Adventures of Tintin” at AFI FEST, where we celebrate the very best the world has to offer for 2011."
Spielberg was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995; five of his movies rate among the greatest films of all time on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies list (“Schindler’s List” #8, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” #24, “Jaws” #56, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” #66, and “Saving Private Ryan” #71).
A one-hour special at the AFI Conservatory was recently completed between Steven Spielberg and his friend and collaborator John Williams entitled TCM presents AFI’s Master Class: The Art of Collaboration that will debut on Turner Classic Movies on November 15, 2011 and will explore the four-decade friendship and working relationship between the two artists, among the most prolific and influential collaborations in film history.
The AFI FEST is celebrating its 25th year as a program of the American Film Institute, taking place November 3 through November 10.
