AFI Fest to Open with Laika's 'Wildwood'; Beyond Fest Reveals Lineup

The American Film Institute (AFI) Fest has announced that Laika's latest stop-motion animated feature, "Wildwood," will serve as the opening-night film for its 40th edition on October 21. This screening will also mark the U.S. premiere of the film, which is set to have its world premiere at the London Film Festival on October 11.

Meanwhile, Beyond Fest, a Los Angeles-based genre film festival, has unveiled its full lineup for its 2026 edition, running from September 23 to October 6. The festival will open with Lance Oppenheim's "Primetime" and close with Bassam Tariq's "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother." The 81-film lineup includes 10 world premieres and four North American premieres, with notable appearances expected from filmmakers and actors such as M. Night Shyamalan, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Al Pacino.