Audi Serves Sixth Year As AFI Fest Sponsor

October 30, 2009 1:33 p.m. EST

Herndon, VA (CNS) - The presenting sponsor for the American Film Institute's annual event has a lot of drive.

Audi of America will be the primary sponsor of "AFI Fest 2009 presented by Audi." The 23rd edition of the film festival, which kicks off today, will run through Nov. 7. This is the auto manufacturer's sixth consecutive year as the presenting sponsor.

In a press release for the event, Audi representatives expressed enthusiasm for the festival.

"The influence and character of AFI Fest aligns well with the prestige of the Audi brand," said Scott Keogh, Chief Marketing Officer. "Our role as presenting sponsor in 2009 comes at a very exciting moment in the event's history."

Among the new features of this year's AFI Fest is the setting, with all screenings taking place at Grauman's Chinese Theater, one of the most widely renowned landmarks in Hollywood. The theme for 2009 is "See a Film On Us," with free tickets available to the viewing public for the screenings, as well as the gala events comprising the festival.

AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale referred to Audi as an "ideal partner" because of the festival's ties with "creativity and innovation," traits he said the sponsor features ably.

"The Audi commitment to the arts and to AFI Fest is well established, and fits hand-in-glove with its emphasis on design," Gazzale said.

Among the other sponsors for the event are Absolut Vodka, American Airlines, Best Buy, Hewlett Packard and Stella Artois.

AFI Fest will begin with the premiere of "Fantastic Mr. Fox," Wes Anderson's stop-motion animated movie based on Roald Dahl's children's book, starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray. The festival's closing night will include the screening of "A Single Man," starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. The film is the directorial debut of former Gucci creative director and all around fashion name Tom Ford, who also adapted the screenplay from Christopher Isherwood's novel.