2021 Oscar^® selection, Austria
Set in post-WWII Germany, Sebastian Meise's drama follows a Holocaust survivor who finds himself caught in a Kafka-esque penal system, constantly in and out of high-security prison as a result of a law criminalizing homosexuality.
Dec. 4, 1:45 p.m.; Dec. 8, 9:45 p.m.

One night only!
Experience the world's biggest virtual band in cinemas worldwide, as Gorillaz bring their acclaimed Song Machine Live to the big screen. This special presentation also features a cinema-exclusive pre-party cut.
Wed, Dec. 8, 7:00 p.m.

In Christian Schwochow's exhilarating spy thriller set in 1938, a civil servant (George MacKay) working under British PM Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons) undertakes a dangerous mission to intercept documents that could prevent the impending war.
Dec. 4, 4:15; Dec. 8, 7:00 p.m.

2021 Oscar^® selection, Spain
In Fernando Léon de Aranoa's darkly comic satire, a factory owner (Javier Bardem) finds his company nominated for a local business award. But a disgruntled former employee, a heartbroken supervisor and an infatuated intern complicate his plans for perfection.
Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m.; Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.

2021 Oscar^® selection, Romania
Called before a school tribunal after her sex tape is leaked online, a high school teacher must defend herself. The result is a tour-de-force of satirical political comedy in auteur Radu Jude's provocative, Golden Bear-winning film.
Dec. 4, 9:45 p.m.; Dec. 9, 9:30 p.m.

2021 Oscar^® selection, Finland
Juho Kuosmanen's delightfully unconventional road trip romance follows two strangers from opposite sides of the tracks who form a surprising bond while travelling by train across Russia — grad student Laura and vodka-loving miner Ljoha.
Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Premiere
Q&A with filmmaker Kaweh Modiri at both shows
Decades after her daughter was executed in Iran, Haleh now lives in the Netherlands. When she meets Leyla, who has just fled Iran, Haleh becomes convinced Leyla is the one who gave her daughter up to the authorities, and embarks on a carefully plotted revenge.
Dec. 5, 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, 7:00 p.m.

Q&A with filmmakers Kristina Lindström and Kristian Petri on Dec. 7
This probing, haunting documentary examines how we objectify young actors through the tragic story of Björn Andrésen, the teen star of Luchino Visconti's 1971 film DEATH IN VENICE, who was thrust into international stardom for his looks.
Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 8, 4:45 p.m.

North American Premiere
Q&A with filmmakers Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova on Dec. 4
Maria Bakalova stars as a young woman with HIV in this feminist critique of modern Bulgarian society. Directors Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova took inspiration from Kazakova's own family of strong women.
Dec. 4, 4:00 p.m.; Dec. 11, 11:00 a.m.; Dec. 13, 2:20 p.m.; Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m.

Now playing
From cinematic provocateur Paul Verhoeven comes an examination of real-life Catholic mystic and lesbian nun Benedetta Carlini, who rose to become abbess of her convent in Italy before being removed from power by the papacy.

Final week! Ends Dec. 9
Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical drama follows a young boy growing up in Northern Ireland's capital in the tumultuous late 1960s. The stellar cast includes Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan and Ciarán Hinds, and introduces the 10-year-old Jude Hill.

Final week! Ends Dec. 9
Wes Anderson's comedy follows the staff of a literary magazine as they gather to write the obituary of their beloved editor. Starring Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, Léa Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Mathieu Amalric and more.

Dec. 17–24
Tickets $5 for kids 12 and under!
Seasonal favorites IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE & WHITE CHRISTMAS return, alongside the naughty (DIE HARD and holiday film noir CASH ON DEMAND) and the nice (THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL and Christmastime anime TOKYO GODFATHERS).

March, 3–6, 2022
All–access passes on sale now!
AFI Silver is excited to host the 16th-annual Capital Irish Film Festival (CIFF), presented by Solas Nua. Celebrating Irish identity, culture and artistry, CIFF's lineup brings the best in contemporary Irish cinema to DC-area audiences.