Tarantino Brings ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ to AFI Fest 2026

Quentin Tarantino will appear at AFI Fest 2026 on Friday, Oct. 23, for a conversation and special screening of his “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

The event anticipates David Fincher's new film, “The Further Mis-Adventures Of Cliff Booth,” in which Brad Pitt reprises his role as Cliff Booth from Tarantino's 2019 film.

Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO, framed the evening as a tribute. “As the world awaits ‘The Further Mis-Adventures Of Cliff Booth,’ AFI is proud to celebrate where it all began,” Gazzale said. “And to do so with one of the greatest storytellers of our generation is a gift to all who love the movies.”

What does the milestone edition of AFI Fest include?

The 40th annual AFI Fest runs Oct. 21 to 25. It will screen more than 150 films at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood — roughly 30 films per day across the five-day run. The festival opens with the U.S. premiere of “Wildwood” and closes with “Being Heumann.”

The takeaway: AFI is marking four decades with its largest marquee name in years, and Tarantino anchors the program.

Where can audiences see ‘Wild Horse Nine’ in 35mm?

Martin McDonagh's “Wild Horse Nine” will screen in 35mm at The Alex Theatre in Glendale on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. Searchlight Pictures releases the film.

The film is set in 1973. It follows two CIA officers, played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island shortly before the Chilean military coup that overthrew socialist president Salvador Allende. Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Posey round out the ensemble.

The 35mm presentation draws inspiration from Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s. The format allows viewers to immerse themselves in the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

“Wild Horse Nine” opens in theatres nationwide on Nov. 6 — one day after the first Glendale screening.

The takeaway: audiences get two chances to see the film on photochemical stock before or just after its wide release.

Why did Proof Inc. open a New York studio?

Proof Inc., the visualization-focused production company, has opened its first New York studio. Filmmaker Ari Aster's next feature will serve as its inaugural project.

Founder and CEO Ron Frankel will oversee the New York operation, splitting his time between the company's Los Angeles and New York studios. Proof has provided visualization services for the “Jurassic World” franchise, the “Harry Potter” TV series, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” and “Stranger Things.”

Proof New York joins Proof London, Proof Australia, and Proof Inc., which has been based in Los Angeles since 2002 — a 24-year West Coast anchor now extended east.

Frankel tied the move to his own history. “Establishing Proof's first New York studio is a full-circle moment, both personally and professionally,” Frankel said. “I began my career in visualization in Manhattan in the late '90s, when the community of 3D artists and animators was relatively small. Today, New York has an extraordinarily deep pool of creative talent and filmmakers. Establishing a permanent presence here allows us to become part of that community and build on the relationships and creative collaborations that have always been at the heart of Proof.”

The takeaway: Aster's next feature becomes the test case for whether visualization work shifts meaningfully toward New York.

By Elena Vasquez