AFI Fest revisits Dandridge, more

The upcoming AFI Fest announced Thursday that it will highlight “a trio of diverse female trailblazers” — Dorothy Dandridge, Ida Lupino and Anna May Wong — on the festival’s key art and in the programming lineup.

“This year, AFI Fest continues its annual commemoration of influential women in film by reviving the contributions of these three screen legends,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI Fest director. “The artwork represents AFI’s mission to preserve cinema history and honor the artists who — to this day — continue to inspire filmmakers from around the world.”

Dandridge was the first black woman to receive an Academy Award nomination for lead actress with her performance in “Carmen Jones.” Lupino was a pioneering actress, director and producer. Wong was the first Chinese American movie star.

The festival will open on Nov. 10. As part of its Cinema Legacy section, it will show Dandridge’s star turn in Otto Preminger’s “Carmen Jones,” the Lupino-directed “The Hitch-Hiker” and E.A. Dupont’s silent film “Piccadilly,” starring Wong.