Los Angeles doesn’t really have a film festival with the scope or importance of a Sundance, Cannes or Toronto, but if you’ve ever made it out to the annual AFI film festival you know it’s a solid showcase of high-minded studio films, buzzworthy indies, interesting documentaries and top tier foreign films. And it’s perfectly timed to give Angelenos a taste of the always exciting fall movie season.

We know that the numbers—69 narrative features, 28 documentaries and 51 shorts are set to screen between November 1-11—can make decisions about what to see a little overwhelming. So with that in mind, we’ve put together a tip sheet of what to catch (and a few to miss) among some of the hottest titles.

Tickets for most films are $11 ($10 for ArcLight or AFI members) and weekday matinees are a bargain $7. You can even buy them online at the fest’s official site. If something’s sold out, don’t panic, there’s still a good chance you can land a seat if you arrive early the day of the screening.

DON’T MISS:

“The Savages”
Laura Linney’s last brother-sister relationship movie was the excellent “You Can Count On Me,” and now the fine actress has one of her best roles in years as one of two siblings forced to care for an elderly father who never treated his children with respect. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the brother in his second great performance of the year, following “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.” Both actors are exceptional in this painfully real dramatic comedy. “The Savages” opens locally on November 28, but $25 for the first fest screening will also get you in to an in-person tribute to Linney.

Friday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10
Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10

“Juno”
Strong enough for hipsters, but made for audiences of all kinds, this indie-darling-in-waiting has already earned Oscar buzz and comparisons to “Little Miss Sunshine.” “Juno” is actually a richer film, with a surprisingly strong ensemble cast led by Ellen Page. If you don’t want to shell out the $25 ticket price (it’s the fest’s “Centerpiece Gala”) the movie does open in local theaters on December 5, but catching it early will give you bragging rights before everyone else starts talking about how good it is. Plus this might be your only chance to see it in the Cinerama Dome.

Monday, Nov. 5, 7:45 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10
Monday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m., Cinerama Dome

“Persepolis”
A visually intoxicating, primarily black-and-white, animated adaptation of Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel about coming of age in Iran and Austria. It’s funny, enlightening and only occasionally a little too personal. It’s also France’s official entry in the foreign language Oscar race. Expect a nomination. Although the film officially opens on Christmas Day, the $25 fest screening includes a tribute to Catherine Deneuve, who voices Satrapi’s mother.

Saturday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10

“The Living Wake”
The kind of movie “Saturday Night Live” regulars have been trying unsuccessfully to make for years now, this absurdist character-driven comedy is a guaranteed future cult classic. Co-writer Mike O’Connell plays self-proclaimed genius K. Roth Binew, who, believing he only has one day to live, is chauffeured around his small town on a rickshaw by his devoted man-servant Mills (Jesse Eisenberg of “The Squid and the Whale”).

Friday, Nov. 9, 9:15 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 14
Saturday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 13

“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
Another visually stunning film from artist-turned-director Julian Schnabel (“Basquiat,” “Before Night Falls”), this is the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a French fashion magazine editor who was almost completely paralyzed following a stroke. A beautiful nurse teaches him to communicate by blinking his eyes. The film is especially gripping in its opening stretch, filmed exclusively from Bauby’s p.o.v. Opens theatrically November 30.

Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10
Sunday, Nov. 11, 4 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10

“4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”
The phrase “Romanian abortion drama” won’t exactly send audiences rushing to a theater. And this winner of the Cannes film festival’s top prize is a challenging film with long takes, a cold observational style and deeply unsettling situations. But if you haven’t already moved on to the next title, you’ll want to check out this provocative and very well-acted standout from the fest’s World Cinema section.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 6:45 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 11
Monday, Nov. 5, 4:30 p.m., ArcLight Theatre 10

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