2021 will be another benchmark year for Lin-Manuel Miranda, who’s making his feature directorial debut with tick, tick…BOOM! This explosive musical is coming to Netflix this fall, but it will have its premiere at AFI Fest before the rest of the world gets to see it.
tick, tick…BOOM! is based on Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical of the same name and it centers on an aspiring theatre composer, played by Andrew Garfield, as he tries to endure the pressure of life as an artist in New York City.
In addition to announcing tick, tick…BOOM! as the opening film, AFI president and CEO, Bob Gazzale, also confirmed that the Hollywood icon Julie Andrews is set to receive the AFI Life Achievement Award at this year’s edition of the festival.
“AFI Fest will remind the world the power of this art form to lift our spirits at a time we need it most. Opening with the imperative voice of Lin-Manuel Miranda and celebrating the joy that Julie Andrews has provided generations will set our sights on a brighter day—just like in the movies,” said Gazzale in a statement.
The opening night of the AFI Fest is set to take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, and the festival will run through November 10-14.
