May 12, 2017
The AFI DOCS Interview: YEAR OF THE SCAB Director John Dorsey
In September 1987, for the first time in U.S. history, replacement football players took the field amidst a union strike. Seen as a second chance for these unknowns — or “scabs” — the ’87 season became one of the Washington Redskins’ most memorable. Using archival footage and personal interviews, filmmaker John Dorsey highlights a forgotten…
May 12, 2017
The AFI DOCS Interview: NEW CHEFS ON THE BLOCK Director Dustin Harrison-Atlas
Opening a new restaurant is not for the faint of heart. Time, money, stress, repeat. Two DC-area chefs put everything on the line to open two very different establishments — Frank Linn’s Frankly…Pizza! and Aaron Silverman’s Rose’s Luxury (Bon Appetit’s “Best New Restaurant in America” in 2014). Directed by Dustin Harrison-Atlas, NEW CHEFS ON THE…
May 12, 2017
The AFI DOCS Interview: TOUGH GUYS Directors Henry Roosevelt and W.B. Zullo
Told through the colorful stories of scrappy brawlers and amateur promoters, TOUGH GUYS brings to life the birth of mixed martial arts competitions in 1980s Pittsburgh. The idea to legitimize street fighting by putting it in the ring brought big money, crowds, copycat competitions and ultimately scrutiny and tighter control. AFI spoke with directors Henry Roosevelt…
May 12, 2017
AFI DOCS 2017 Reveals Full Slate
The full slate of films AFI DOCS 2017, a five-day documentary celebration in the nation's capital, is here. Each year, the festival is committed to providing artists with the opportunity to present powerfully told, artfully constructed stories — and to connect audiences and filmmakers with policy leaders. AFI DOCS 2017 runs June 14–18 in Washington, DC,...
May 4, 2017
Here Are the AFI DOCS 2017 Opening Night and Closing Night Films
AFI DOCS, AFI’s annual documentary celebration in the nation’s capital, announces the Opening and Closing Night films for its 15th annual edition. The festival will open with the East Coast premiere of Netflix’s ICARUS, directed by Bryan Fogel, and will close with ESPN Films’ YEAR OF THE SCAB, directed by Emmy® winner John Dorsey. Both…
May 3, 2017
Richard Gladstein Named Dean of AFI Conservatory
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced the appointment of award-winning producer Richard Gladstein as Dean of the AFI Conservatory. Gladstein’s duties will underscore AFI’s demanding approach to graduate film education — that Fellows “learn by doing,” and collaborate on a minimum of four films in the two-year MFA program.
April 25, 2017
AFI Honors Cinematographer Frederick Elmes
Celebrated cinematographer Frederick Elmes (AFI Class of 1972) will receive the 2017 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. This honor recognizes the extraordinary creative talents of an AFI alumnus or alumna who embodies the qualities of filmmaker Franklin J. Schaffner: talent, taste, dedication and commitment to quality storytelling in film and television.
April 21, 2017
The AFI FEST Interview: Director Qiu Yang on Cannes-Bound A GENTLE NIGHT
Qiu Yang is an alumnus of AFI FEST with his short film UNDER THE SUN (AFI FEST 2015). We caught up with Yang to talk about his latest short, A GENTLE NIGHT. The film will have its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where it will compete for the Short Film Palme d’Or.
April 19, 2017
AFI Presents Eight New Directors
"We're at a tipping point where we can finally imagine a world where there's parity, where we can try to heal the world and bring it back from the brink of insanity," said Robinson. "The thing about a tipping point is that it can easily tip back. So what I need all of you women...
April 12, 2017
The AFI Interview: AFI Alumna Deniese Davis on INSECURE
Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012) is a producer on HBO’s INSECURE, which returns for its second season on July 23. AFI spoke with Davis to talk about her work on the show, which also features director/executive producer Melina Matsoukas (AFI Class of 2005).
March 29, 2017
Congratulations to This Year’s AFI Writers’ Room Ready Recipients
Now in its second year, AFI Writers’ Room Ready is a program whose mission is to cultivate the next generation of television scriptwriters by giving graduating Fellows an opportunity to work directly with established artists.
March 23, 2017
AFI Conservatory Alumni Receive Nine College Television Award Nominations
A total of 13 AFI Conservatory alumni from the Class of 2016 have been recognized with nine College Television Award nominations — more than any other film school. Now in their 38th year, the 2017 College Television Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, CA.
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