By the Sea has been chosen as the opening-night movie for the American Film Institute's annual festival in November, organizers announced Thursday.

This will be the drama's world premiere. Written and directed by Angelina Jolie Pitt -- and starring Jolie Pitt and her husband Brad Pitt -- the film is about an American writer and his wife, "who arrive in a tranquil and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France, their marriage in apparent crisis," a synopsis said.

"Time and again, Angelina Jolie Pitt has proven herself an artist of the highest caliber," Bob Gazzale, AFI's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "It is an honor for AFI to celebrate her latest story with its world premiere -- and in doing so -- to shine a proper light upon her boundless creative energies as actor, director, writer and producer."

"AFI has long supported the boldness and experimentation that accompanies provocative cinema," added Jolie Pitt. "As a filmmaker, and on behalf of our cast and crew, I am honored to launch the film at the opening-night gala for AFI Fest."

"We are launching this year's AFI Fest with a film that is fueled by the influence of both American and foreign cinema. Angelina Jolie Pitt's intelligent artistry in By the Sea proves that she is one of today's most creative and expressive filmmakers. It is a perfect way to kick off what will be eight days of incredible films from Hollywood and across the globe," remarked Jacqueline Lyanga, the festival's director.

The 29th edition of the festival is to take place in Hollywood Nov. 5–12.