MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS HAS WORLD PREMIERE AT AFI FEST 2018
by Susan Royal

This year's AFI FEST will close on November 15 with the World Premiere of Mary Queen of Scots, starring Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie as her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Directed by Josie Rourke, the epic historical drama was written by Beau Willimon and based on John Guy's book Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart. The film, which follows Stuart's struggle to overthrow Elizabeth and its aftermath, will be released in the U.S. on December 7.

AFI FEST runs November 8 - 15 in Hollywood at the TCL Chinese Theatre, The Hollywood Roosevelt and The Egyptian. Some of the other world premieres at AFI FEST include the opening night film On the Basis of Sex about the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Bird Box, a post-apocalyptic thriller starring Sandra Bullock.

The screening of crime thriller Destroyer will follow a conversation with its star Nicole Kidman and Netflix will premiere the first three episodes of its new series The Kominsky Method starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin.

Tickets to the screenings, conversations and panels are free and can be obtained at www.afi.com/afifest