Academy Award winner BEN AFFLECK hit the red carpet in Los Angeles tonight in support of his directorial debut, 'Gone Baby Gone.'

Ben's better half, JENNIFER GARNER, couldn't make it to the premiere -- Ben told ET that she's in rehearsals for her upcoming Broadway role in Cyrano de Bergerac. But the event was still a family affair. CASEY AFFLECK, who stars in his big brother's flick, showed up tonight, and joked about working with Ben, calling him a "pain in the a$$" as a director.

The movie, which Ben also co-wrote, is adapted from the novel by DENNIS LEHANE, and tells the story of two private investigators hunting for an abducted four-year-old girl in the seamiest side of Boston's underworld. 'Gone Baby Gone' also stars MORGAN FREEMAN, MICHELLE MONAGHAN and ED HARRIS. It hits theaters October 19.