LAFF Announces BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Among 2012 Galas

LA Film Fest followed up their earlier announcement of Woody Allen's To Rome With Love today with word on three gala screenings to take place at the fest.

Benh Zeitlin's Sundance mega-hit BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (our review) will get the red carpet treatment ahead of its June 27th release from Fox Searchlight.

Focus is bringing their pre-apocalyptic romantic laugher SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD by Lorene Scafaria. The film stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley with Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Rob Corddry, Gillian Jacobs, Derek Luke, Melanie Lynskey, T.J. Miller, Mark Moses, Patton Oswalt, and William Petersen (so get their early and watch out for autograph seekers). The film opens wide June 22nd.

Another Sundance award winning film rounds out the Gala announcement with MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. Director Ava DuVernay took home the U.S. Dramatic Directing Award for her story about a woman searching for her place in the world. AFFRM and Participant will release the film in the fall.

LAFF kicks off June 14th downtown. Check their site for more info on tickets and passes.