Great Panels, Discussions Scheduled for 2014 AFI Fest

AFI Festopens Thursday (Nov. 6-13), and we’re excited to see a ton of films over the next week. But everyone has a limit for the number of movies they can watch/endure in a row. Luckily, AFI Fest has a number of great panels, talks and workshops scheduled throughout its run to break up screening binges, allowing our eyes to adjust to things like...light.

Here are five of our favorite non-screening activities (not including tributes and gala screenings) at AFI Fest:

Young Hollywood Roundtable | Nov. 7 at 7 pm at the Chinese 6 Theatre

The L.A. Times returns with its popular Young Hollywood Roundtable. With the Times’ Amy Kaufman interviewing the rising stars about the industry and their sudden fame. While the panelists have not yet been announced, the lineups have been pretty spectacular in years past.

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On Acting: A Conversation with Michael Keaton and Edward Norton | Nov. 8 at 11 am at the Egyptian

Actors Michael Keaton and Edward Norton are two actors known for “creative fearlessness and a meticulous approach to their craft…” They’re at the festival to talk about their sometimes unconventional career choices. Both star in Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s current release, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).

On Cinematography: A Conversation with Roger Deakins | Nov. 9 at 2 pm at the Chinese 6

Director of photography Roger Deakins shares advice and expertise about the art of cinematography. He’s one to talk—being an 11-time Oscar nominee—whose credits include the upcoming release Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie, as well as The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, A Beautiful Mind, The Shawshank Redemption and 11 collaborations with the Coen brothers.

Indie Contenders Roundtable | Nov. 9 at 4 pm at The Cinema Lounge in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg hosts the Indie Contenders Roundtable. While “indie” might be a bit of a stretch for some of these panelists, there’s no doubt they all have done amazing work this year: director/writer J.C. Chandor (A Most Violent Year); director/writer Damien Chazelle (Whiplash); actress Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night); actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler); actor Bill Hader (The Skeleton Twins); actress Michelle Monaghan (Fort Bliss); actress Kristen Stewart (Still Alice); and actress Tilda Swinton (Snowpiercer).

First Look at Selma | Nov. 11 at 6 pm at the Egyptian

This program offers a first look at director Ava DuVernay's upcoming film Selma, featuring 30 minutes of footage from the film followed by a conversation with producers Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, actor David Oyelowo and DuVernay.

The Sound of Imagined Worlds | Nov. 12 at 1 pm at the Dolby Theatre

This panel discussion is part of AFI Fest’s new tech showcase, State of the Art—Innovation, Storytelling and Technology. Sound artists Erik Aadahl, Will Files and Skip Lievsay present clips and talk about the imagined worlds of Godzilla, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Noah. The event is sponsored by Dolby, so expect some tech talk, too, about how specific tools (i.e., Dolby Atmos) can help filmmakers create an immersive, audial experience.

As you can imagine, these panels are hot ticket items, so get there early if you have tickets (or want to try your luck at standby).