Hanks, Lopez and other big names joining Hollywood’s AFI Fest this week

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Hollywood’s biggest names will be featured — and honored — across a slate of films showcasing in Los Angeles this week.

The American Film Institute’s annual festival will kick off Wednesday at the TCL Chinese Theatre, with A-listers such as Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez and Amy Adams set to participate in the various panels and Q&As offered for festivalgoers through Sunday.

On Thursday, this year’s AFI Fest presented by Canva will honor Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis with a director’s spotlight ahead of the festival’s centerpiece screening Friday of his new movie “Here,” which reunites his “Forrest Gump” stars Hanks and Robin Wright.

The other red-carpet premieres include:

• “Music by John Williams” on Wednesday
• “Heretic” starring Hugh Grant on Thursday
• “Maria” starring Angelina Jolie on Saturday
• Clint Eastwood’s “Juror No. 2” on Sunday

Tickets and passes for AFI Fest 2024 are now on sale. To learn more, visit here.