On March 5, AFI premiered films from the AFI DWW+ Class of 2025 directors – Julia Bales, Jahmil Eady, MG Evangelista, Marissa High, Jasmine J. Johnson, Natasha Mynhier, Karina Lomelin Ripper and Ezra Rose – to a full house at the annual AFI DWW+ showcase. Founded in 1974, AFI DWW+ is a tuition-free year-long directing program, open to all applicants, that supports emerging narrative filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts.
Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and Executive Vice President of the American Film Institute, opened the event with welcome remarks and congratulated the eight members of the Class of 2025 as they now join a legion of artists who have participated in the program since it began over 50 years ago. She noted the program’s “signature superpower” is its ability to bring artists together whose work aims to drive culture forward.
Ruskin then introduced AFI DWW+ Alum and Class of 2025 Guest Artistic Director Hanelle M. Culpepper (STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE, STAR TREK: PICARD, WESTWORLD), who mentored the directors and oversaw the artistic curriculum for the 2024–2025 program. She celebrated the achievements of the filmmakers and their dedication to their craft. “[They are] eight directors with passionate visions, talent, curiosity, unafraid to ask for what they need, and completely open to learning, to collaboration, and to feedback while supporting each other however they can,” said Culpepper. “Their work will have a social impact by challenging us and expanding our thinking while never failing to entertain us.”
Distinguished keynote speaker Emmy® Award-winning writer/director/producer Lucia Aniello (HACKS, BROAD CITY, ROUGH NIGHT) brought her signature humor to her address to the graduates, inspiring participants and guests alike with advice about the creative process and the unexpected places they may find story ideas. Aniello encouraged the directors to take in as many unique experiences as possible to help shape their point of view as a filmmaker, “Be disciplined – not with your output but with your life experiences and how present you are with them… And write everything down.”
Aniello is currently writing, directing and executive producing the fourth season of Max’s Original comedy series, HACKS starring Jean Smart, which she also co-created alongside Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky.
Following the remarks, the audience, which included filmmakers, actors, producers, agents, managers, studio executives and more, screened films directed by the AFI DWW+ Class of 2025 participants during the intensive program.
