Melina Matsoukas is returning to the American Film Institute (AFI). According to a press release, the AFI alumna’s feature directorial debut, “Queen & Slim,” will make its world premiere November 14 as AFI FEST’s opening film. Written by Lena Waithe and starring Jodie Turner-Smith (“Nightflyers”) and Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”), the crime drama follows a black couple who go on the run after killing a white cop in self-defense.
AFI Festivals director Michael Lumpkin described “Queen & Slim” as “an outstanding debut.” He continued, “[It’s a] fearless, gorgeous, and powerful cinematic achievement that speaks, better than any film this year, to the effects of racism and violence in our country today.”
“I feel privileged to present my first feature film, ‘Queen & Slim,’ at the opening night of AFI FEST, a place that is integral to my story as a filmmaker,” Matsouskas said. “My mission as an artist is to create change in the world. My time at AFI further instilled the power of film as a tool for change, and I hope that ‘Queen & Slim’ sparks dialogue, leaving viewers thinking about themselves and the world long after leaving their seats.”
Hailing from Universal Pictures, “Queen & Slim” hits theaters November 27.
Matsoukas graduated from AFI in 2005. She has helmed over half a dozen episodes of HBO’s “Insecure.” The 2019 recipient of the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal won Grammy Awards for Rihanna’s “We Found Love” and Beyoncé’s “Formation” music videos.
In 2017, Waithe became the first black woman to win a comedy writing Emmy for her “Thanksgiving” episode of “Master of None,” which was helmed by Matsoukas. She recently signed an overall deal with Amazon, for which she’ll create and exec produce new Amazon Prime series. You can see her next in Season 3 of “Westworld,” expected in 2020.
AFI FEST will take place November 14-21 at historic theaters across Los Angeles. The fest’s full schedule will be announced in October.
AFI FEST 2018 opened with Mimi Leder’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic, “On the Basis of Sex.” Leder was one of the first women accepted to the AFI Conservatory and graduated in 1973. The festival concluded with Josie Rourke’s “Mary Queen of Scots.”
