AFI Fest 2021--which is set to take place November 10-14, 2021--will open with the world premiere of Netflix’s tick, tick...Boom! Directed by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda in his feature directorial debut, the film is based on the autobiographical musical by “Rent” playwright Jonathan Larson and stars Academy Award® nominee and Tony Award® winner Andrew Garfield. The film is written by Tony Award® winner Steven Levenson, and produced by Academy Award® and Emmy® winners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard for Imagine Entertainment, Julie Oh, and Miranda. The opening night screening of the festival’s 35th edition will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre.

This year’s hybrid festival will feature both in-person screenings and events in Los Angeles as well as virtual screenings, showcasing transformative stories from groundbreaking artists, and a gala event celebrating AFI Life Achievement Honoree Julie Andrews.

With health and safety being top priority, AFI Fest 2021 will require all festival-goers who attend in-person events and/or screenings to be fully vaccinated.

“AFI Fest will remind the world the power of this art form to lift our spirits at a time we need it most,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “Opening with the imperative voice of Lin-Manuel Miranda and celebrating the joy that Julie Andrews has provided generations will set our sights on a brighter day--just like in the movies.”

The 48th AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute to Julie Andrews will take place on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Sarah Harris is director of programming at AFI Festivals. 

Director Miranda’s tick, tick...Boom! follows Larson (portrayed by Garfield), a young theater composer who’s waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he’s due to showcase his work in a make-or-break performance, Larson is feeling the pressure from everywhere: from his girlfriend Susan, who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; from his friend Michael, who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security; and all amidst an artistic community being ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. With the clock ticking, Larson is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have?

The film will be in select theaters on November 12, 2021, and on Netflix November 19, 2021.