AceShowbiz - Olivia Wilde directed and starred in the film The Invite, which was screened at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in the Piazza Grande on the evening of August 8, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The event marked a major theatrical moment for Wilde’s latest project, showcasing the film to an enthusiastic and sold-out crowd on the festival’s 8,000-seat outdoor stage.

Per Justjared, Wilde not only participated in the screening but also attended a press conference at the festival. The international theatrical distribution for The Invite was managed by FilmNation, a detail The Hollywood Reporter confirmed and Justjared also noted. Deadline adds that FilmNation and UTA jointly handled the domestic sales and helped secure theatrical distributors overseas. The film’s release has been supported by A24, which strongly backed the decision to pursue a cinema run despite financiers offering more lucrative streaming deals. Deadline further explains that Wilde’s financier gave her the autonomy to decide on the theatrical release, a choice she considered a significant opportunity to present comedy in its communal setting, which she believes is undervalued on streaming platforms.

Olivia Wilde is best known for her acting role as Alex Kelly in The O.C. and has accumulated 45 credits across film and television. She has also directed two prior features, Booksmart and Don’t Worry Darling, before helming The Invite. The film’s screenplay was penned by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones and stars Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. The story revolves around a troubled married couple, Joe and Angela, whose invitation to their mysterious upstairs neighbors leads to unexpected developments, exploring the dynamics of long-term relationships.

The significance of The Invite lies not only in its cinematic release but also in Wilde’s push against the growing trend of bypassing theaters for streaming. Variety highlights Wilde’s belief that comedy thrives in the shared experience of the theater audience, providing catharsis that streaming cannot replicate. The film’s sold-out screening at Locarno underscores the ongoing appetite for theatrical events, reaffirming the importance of preserving cinema as a communal art form in an increasingly digital landscape.

This article is based on reporting originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.