Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln' to Close AFI Fest

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln to will have its world premiere at AFI Fest during a gala screening on Nov. 8 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The film will then open in selected engagements around the country the following day.

The film, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner based in part on the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin,  stars Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, along with Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Strathairn, Jackie Earle Haley, John Hawkes and Hal Holbrook.

Spielberg has a long-standing relationship with the American Film Institute, which produces the festival. He was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995. Both he and producer Kathleen Kennedy serve on the AFI's board of trustees. And last year, his The Adventures of Tintin also closed the fest. 

"Steven Spielberg is an American master, enriching the cultural legacy of our nation with each new film in his extraordinary career," Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO, said. "We are honored he has chosen AFI Fest for the world premiere of Lincoln, an historic cinematic event in itself as it brings the most dramatic American history to life for new generations."