The 2008 AFI FEST presented by Audi Presents
the Centerpiece Gala Screening of THE WRESTLER

WHO: Darren Aronofsky (DIR), Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

Special guest: Rachel Weisz

WHAT: Back in the late '80s, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey.

Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life -- trying to reconnect with his daughter, and striking up a blossoming romance with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who is ready to start a new life. Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy "The Ram" back into his world of wrestling.

Director Darren Aronofsky presents a powerful portrait of a battered dreamer, who despite himself and the odds stacked against him, lives to be a hero once again in the only place he considers home - inside the ring.

And a Special Screening of TRUTH IN 24

WHO: Keith Cossrow (DIR/SCR), Bennett Viseltear (DIR/SCR), Chuck Johnson (PROD), Matthew Goldfine (PROD), Alan Brown (PROD), Jared Hilbert (PROD), Gerry Reimel (SCR)

WHAT: The racing team Audi Sport attempts to win a record fifth straight "24 Hours of LeMans" against Team Peugeot, the local favorite and potential spoiler. This fast-and-furious documentary goes deep inside the Audi camp, introducing us to the high-tech genius of the engineers and drivers as they set out to make history.

Also attending: CAREFUL WITH THAT AXE: Jason Stutter (DIR), Kan Raybon CARPET DIEM: Trevor Anderson (DIR/SCR) THE DRIFT: Kelly Sears (DIR) EVERLASTING MOMENTS: Jan Troell (DIR/SCR) EX-BULLY: Joey Garfield (DIR) THE HEADLESS WOMAN: Lucrecia Martel (DIR/SCR) HI MY NAME IS RYAN: Paul Eagleston (PROD/DIR) INVOLUNTARY: Ruben Ostlund (DIR), Erik Hemmendorf (PROD/SCR) LAST MEAL: Jake Avnet (DIR), Yoi Tanabe, Mark Stern SUGAR: Ryan Fleck (DIR/SCR), Anna Boden (DIR/SCR) TANAREXIA: Jean-Pierre Caner (DIR/SCR), Brady Crawford, Andrew Kuykendall WOMAN'S WORK: Chad Benton (DIR/SCR)

WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2008
              6:00-7:30 PM

              PRESS CHECK IN AT 5:15PM

WHERE: The Grauman's Chinese Theatre
                6925 Hollywood Blvd.
                Hollywood, CA

RSVP: jwildman@AFI.com
For other press inquiries contact: John Wildman (323) 856-7774