The American Film Institute said that film, TV and music video artist Melina Matsoukas will be this year’s recipient of the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal, which honors creative talents of AFI Conservatory alumni who embody the qualities of the filmmaker for which it is named after. The medal, which recognizes…

The American Film Institute has received a $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (to for an unprecedented study of gender parity in the history of American film. Named for director Lloyd Bacon’s lost 1928 film, the Women They Talk About initiative will explore how gender parity nearly was…

A column covering events and conversations on the awards circuit One day off for New Year’s and it was back into the swing of the season – BIG TIME. Kicking off a week’s end with non-stop awards-related events, you can safely use the word “whirlwind” to describe it all, as the annual Palm Springs Film Awards Gala…

The AFI has released its annual list of 10 top TV programs of the year, with FX scoring four mentions, HBO two and NBC’s This Is Us representing broadcast solo. Of the Big 3 streamers, only Hulu was shut out. Check out the list below. The top 10 is heavy with rookie series including Barry, Pose, the Emmy-winning The Ma…

The American Film Institute unveiled the 10 movies on its annual AFI Awards list on Tuesday, with a broad swath of titles from tentpoles like Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther and Warner Bros’ A Star Is Born to indie hits like A24’s Eighth Grade and First Reformed. Among others with expected mentions were Universal’s Green…

Richard Gladstein, who has served as dean of the American Film Institute’s AFI Conservatory for the past 18 months, is exiting his post, the organization said Monday. The graduate film school’s Michael Chung, Vice Dean of Administration, and Tom Engfer, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, have been appointed Co-Interim…

In the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires, Netflix has canceled its second AFI red carpet for the Sandra Bullock movie Bird Box out of respect to the victims and those battling the tragedy. The screening for the movie will go on as planned at the TCL Chinese Theatre tonight at 7:30PM. Last night…

The American Film Institute said this morning that Denzel Washington will receive the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award. The honor will be presented to the two-time Oscar winner on June 6, 2019 at the AFI’s annual gala tribute. “Denzel Washington is an American icon,” said Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI Board of…

The American Film Institute has appointed former Warner Bros. Pictures EVP of Domestic Publicity Juli Goodwin as its new Chief Communications Officer. She will serve on AFI’s senior management team, leading communications strategies for AFI’s national arts and education programs. “Juli’s commitment to AFI is a seismic…

The American Film Institute is out with the dates for its 19th annual AFI Awards. Its list of 2018’s best movies and TV shows will be announced December 4, and the honoress will be feted at an invitation-only luncheon on January 4. The deadline for film and TV submissions is 5 pm PT on Thursday, October 18. AFI notes…

The American Film Institute announced today that AFI Conservatory Screenwriting Fellow Taryn Procsal will be the first recipient of the Kirk Douglas Fellowship. Proscal, a single mother of three, was recognized for her unique voice and will receive a full-tuition two-year scholarship. The inaugural Kirk Douglas…

Michael Lumpkin, who has served as Director of the American Film Institute’s Docs for the past three years, has just been named Director of AFI Festivals. Jacqueline Lyanga, who began serving as Director of AFI FEST in 2010 and is a graduate of the AFI Conservatory, is departing her role to pursue new…