L.A. Film Festival adds Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, more to lineup

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Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine will bring some added star power to the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival with the announcement Friday that Richard Linklater’s new film ‘Bernie,’ starring the two actors, will serve as the fest’s opening-night film, along with a follow-up conversation after the screening.

The festival, through its Artists in Residence program, also has scheduled two additional screenings. One of the two artists in residence, Erykah Badu, has chosen to screen Ricky Gervais’ ‘The Invention of Lying,’ followed by a conversation with the musician. Composer Daniele Luppi, who’s worked with Danger Mouse and Gnarls Barkley, will present a screening of Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 film ‘Navajo Joe’ before doing a Q&A session focused on movies and music.

Two new gala screenings have been added to the festival lineup. Screen Gems’ ‘Attack the Block,’ from the producers of ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz,’ will screen, as will Lionsgate’s ‘The Devil’s Double’ from director Lee Tamahori.

‘Bernie’ stars Black as a mortician in small-town Texas who strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, played by MacLaine. Black and MacLaine are scheduled to engage in a ‘fun, game-show’ style Q&A with moderator Leonard Maltin.

The festival will run from June 16 to June 26 in downtown Los Angeles.

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-- Nicole Sperling