Times flexes its Hollywood connections

When AFI Fest comes to Hollywood next month, the Times will host a day of interviews and panel discussions with prominent filmmakers, journalists and actor George Clooney at the Arclight. Oh, did I mention that's the New York Times? Excerpt from yesterday's press release, via Movie City News:

The New York Times Magazine is introducing a first-ever "Hollywood TimesTalks" program in Los Angeles that will include interviews and panel discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors and other leading film talents in conversations with New York Times journalists. This program will be part of the American Film Institute's AFI FEST 2005 presented by Audi.

"Hollywood TimesTalks" will be open to the public and will be presented in three sessions on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the ArcLight Cinemas:

Hollywood & War
New York Times film critics A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis look at the war film then and now.
TimesTalks 1 SA, 11:30 AM (ArcLight #10)

The War Documentary: A Panel Discussion
New York Times Magazine Editor Gerald Marzorati talks with directors Eugene Jarecki ("Why We Fight"), Stephen Marshall ("Battleground"), Garrett Scott ("Operation Dreamland"), and Michael Tucker ("Gunner Palace").
TimesTalks 2 SA, 2:00 PM (ArcLight #10)

A Conversation with George Clooney
New York Times Magazine Editor at Large Lynn Hirschberg interviews the celebrated actor and filmmaker, whose latest projects are "Syriana" and "Good Night, and Good Luck."
TimesTalks 3 SA, 4:30 PM (ArcLight #10)

Tickets are $25 and may be ordered at www.AFI.com/AFIFEST, the AFI Box Office or by calling (866) 234-3378. Additional information is available at nytimes.com/timestalks.

The NYT Magazine will publish its annual movie issue that Sunday. The theme is "Hollywood Goes to War."