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United Artists political drama "Lions for Lambs" will make its North American debut at AFI Fest 2007, where it has been tapped as the opening-night gala. The Robert Redford-directed film, which stars Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise, will unspool Nov. 1 at the ArcLight's Cinerama Dome.

Opening-night gala coincides with the first day on the job for AFI's incoming prexy-CEO Bob Gazzale, who will succeed Jean Picker Firstenberg as the third person to lead the 40-year-old organization.

"Lions for Lambs," which explores the human consequences of America's war on terror, marks the first production from the revamped UA label, relaunched last year via a partnership among Cruise, Paula Wagner and MGM.

AFI Fest will run Nov. 1-11.