Anthony Mackie's 'The Banker' to Close AFI Fest 2019

Apple’s “The Banker,” starring Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson, will close out the 2019 AFI Fest, the American Film Institute announced on Thursday.

The Closing Night Gala will take place on Nov. 21 at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

“‘The Banker’ joins a remarkable group of films being released this year that openly confront centuries of racism and injustice in our country, while celebrating the brave individuals whose activism has created real change,” Michael Lumpkin, director of AFI Festivals, said.

Also Read: Apple to Release 'The Banker' With Anthony Mackie, Samuel L Jackson, Nicholas Hoult

“The Banker,” based on a true story, follows revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who “devise a risky plan to take on the racist establishment of the 1960s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream,” according to the official plot summary. They enlist Garrett’s wife Eunice (Nia Long) to help train a working class white man, played by Nicholas Hoult, to be part of their plan.

George Nolfi directed, while Joe Viertel produces. Brad Feinstein produced under his Romulus Entertainment banner, along with Nolfi, Nnamdi Asomugha, Jonathan Baker, Davis Lewis Smith and Mackie. Joseph F. Ingrassia, Jackson, Will Greenfield, David Gendron and Ali Jazayeri executive produced. Niceole Levy, Stan Younger, Lewis Smith and Nolfi wrote the script from a story by Lewis Smith, Younger and Brad Caleb Kane.

Also Read: Apple Sets Theatrical Releases for First Three Films: 'The Elephant Queen,' 'Hala' and 'The Banker'

“The Banker” will hit theaters on Dec. 6 and will debut on Apple TV+ in January.

AFI Fest 2019 will take place from Nov. 14 to Nov. 21.

The opening film is Melina Matsoukas’ “Queen & Slim.”

15 Busiest Movie Actors of 2015, From Alicia Vikander to Anthony Mackie (Photos)

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Alicia Vikander
The Swedish actress starred in four movies this year: "Ex Machina," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Burnt" and "The Danish Girl."
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Domhnall Gleeson
Gleeson was extremely busy as well, starring in multiple films that have received award nominations: "Ex Machina," "Brooklyn," "The Revenant" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
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Tom Hardy
The British hunk had roles in "Mad Max: Fury Road," "London Road," "The Revenant" and "Child 44" this year.
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Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson starred in "Barely Lethal," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Chi-Raq," "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and "The Hateful Eight."
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Anthony Mackie
A bunch of movies starring Mackie were released this year: "The Night Before," "Love the Coopers," "Our Brand is Crisis," "Ant-Man, "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Shelter" and "Black or White" and "Playing It Cool."
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Rachel McAdams
The actress started her year with Sony's "Aloha" and then went on to star in "Everything Will Be Fine," "Spotlight" and "Southpaw." She also had one of the leading roles in HBO's second season of "True Detective."
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Michael Fassbender
"Steve Jobs" wasn't Fassbender's only film this year. He also released "Slow West" and "Macbeth," as well as the short, "Zero."
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Robert De Niro
The 72-year-old melted hearts in this year's "The Intern," but also starred in "Heist," "Ellis," "Hands of Stone" and "Joy."
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Michael Stuhlbarg
Stuhlbarg was seen in four movies this year: "Pawn Sacrifice," "Steve Jobs," "Trumbo" and "Cut Bank."
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Elizabeth Banks
The actress/producer had roles in "Pitch Perfect 2," "Love & Mercy," Wet Hot American Summer," "Magic Mike XXL," and "Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2."
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Michael Pena
Pena starred in "The Martian," "Ant-Man," "Vacation," "Hell and Back" and "The Vatican Tapes."
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John Cusack
Cusack had five releases this year: "Map to the Stars," "Chi-Raq," "Love & Mercy," "Shanghai" and "Dragon Blade."
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Amanda Seyfried
The actress starred in "Love the Coopers," "Pan," Ted 2," "While We're Young" and "Fathers and Daughters."
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Joel Edgerton
Edgerton starred in "Black Mass" opposite Johnny Depp, and also had roles in "The Gift," "Life" and the short, "Lifted."
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Jake Gyllenhaal
The actor appeared in "Accidental Love," "Southpaw" and "Everest" -- and a fourth drama, "Demolition," premiered at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival.
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