AFI Fest Sets Nicole Kidman Tribute with ‘Destroyer’ Gala

The 2018 AFI Fest will host An Evening With Nicole Kidman. The event will include a conversation with the Academy Award-winning actress (The Hours) in a tribute to her career, followed by a Gala screening of her latest film, Annapurna Pictures’ Destroyer, on Tuesday, November 13th, at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre.

The news comes right on the heels of the announcement of some major shakeups at Annapurna, including its president Chelsea Barnard stepping down and the studio dropping two high-profile films from its roster, including the all-star Roger Ailes/Fox News pic that is set to star Kidman. 

Director Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer is a crime thriller starring Kidman in as hardened detective Erin Bell, worn down to the nub by the rigors of her job and the aftermath of an undercover FBI sting gone horribly wrong. When an old nemesis (Toby Kebbell) resurfaces, Erin, haunted by guilt and loss, becomes hell-bent on finding him — seizing her last shot at redemption.

Review: Nicole Kidman in ‘Destroyer’ (★★★½)

The film is written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (AFI Conservatory Class of 1995), both of whom also produced alongside Fred Berger.

It was announced last week that Denzel Washington would be receiving the AFI Fest’s 47th Life Achievement Award. 

AFI Fest will run November 8-15 in various venues in Hollywood. Mimi Leder’s On the Basis of Sex will have its world premiere as the opening night film, and Josie Rourke’s Mary Queen of Scots will have its world premiere as the closing night film.