April 22, 2020
AFI Announces $3 Million Gift From AFI Trustee Emeritus Lawrence Herbert
AFI announced today that it has received a $3 million gift from AFI Trustee Emeritus Lawrence Herbert, which will establish the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center on the AFI Campus located in Los Angeles, CA, as well as a digital portal, AFI Backlot, to magnify the center’s global reach to AFI alumni. Herbert joined the AFI…
April 6, 2020
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and Frederick Elmes on Filming HUNTERS and Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
Growing up on the Texas/Mexico border in the ‘80s, director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s (AFI Class of 1995) first introduction to the work of legendary cinematographer Frederick Elmes (AFI Class of 1972) was a worn-out VHS tape of BLUE VELVET. Describing Elmes’ filmmaking as “hypnotic,” Gomez-Rejon continued his initiation with other films shot by Elmes – ERASERHEAD,…
April 2, 2020
Dean Susan Ruskin Q&A: How the AFI Conservatory is Adapting to COVID-19
As we continue to evolve to meet this unprecedented moment prompted by the COVID-19 crisis, AFI turned to Dean Susan Ruskin to discuss how the AFI Conservatory has transitioned to online learning over the past several weeks and how Fellows, faculty and staff are adjusting. We spoke with her about the state of the industry,…
April 2, 2020
The CARES Act and What It Means for AFI Fellows and Alumni
On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security “CARES” Act was signed into legislation in order to offset the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Below are a few key provisions that we hope will be beneficial to AFI Fellows and Alumni: A Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that will last through…
March 24, 2020
Industry and Community Resources for AFI Alumni and Fellows
With the impact of the coronavirus slowing our community to a standstill, AFI is committed to helping AFI Conservatory alumni and Fellows during this challenging time. Below are community resources for different sectors of the industry and links to grants and relief funds, as well as health and mental health resources. AFI Fellows, please email…
March 11, 2020
Watch the Films: AFI Directing Workshop for Women Class of 2020
Today, the AFI Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) launched the online premiere of the films by the Class of 2020. Congratulation to the DWW filmmakers: Robin Cloud, Revati Dhomse, Ashley Eakin, Tiffany Frances, Marie Jamora, Bridget Moloney, Lara Panah-Izadi and Nicole Taylor-Roberts! Watch all the films HERE. Meet the DWW Class of 2020: Learn…
March 6, 2020
AFI Alum Films to Screen at Tribeca 2020
Congratulations to the AFI alumni who will be screening their films at the Tribeca Film Festival! The festival will take place in New York City from April 15-26. Here are the 22 alumni and their 14 projects that will inspire east coast audiences: ASIA Daniella Nowitz (AFI Class of 2014), Cinematographer BLOOD AND…
March 6, 2020
AFI Directing Workshop for Women 2020 Showcase: Meet the Filmmakers. Watch the Films.
Congratulations to the AFI Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) Class of 2020: Robin Cloud, Revati Dhomse, Ashley Eakin, Tiffany Frances, Marie Jamora, Bridget Moloney, Lara Panah-Izadi and Nicole Taylor-Roberts! On March 11, DWW will host an invitation-only screening of the filmmakers’ eight short films, projects that were over fifteen months in the making. Nancy C….
March 4, 2020
Cinematographer and AFI Alum Brandon Cox on his SXSW Film CUT THROAT CITY and the Movies That Inspire Him
“Trust your eye.” This is the mantra of cinematographer Brandon Cox (Class of 2004). His latest project, CUT THROAT CITY directed by Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, is set to premiere at the 2020 SXSW Festival. The film stars Shameik Moore, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Denzel Whitaker and Keean Johnson as four boyhood friends who return to New…
March 4, 2020
AFI Alum Heidi Levitt On Collaborating With Directors and Casting Sally Potter’s New Film
AFI alumna Heidi Levitt (Class of 1987) has established herself as a versatile casting director and producer, crisscrossing artistic mediums from theater to television to film to commercials. Her new film, THE ROADS NOT TAKEN, recently had its World Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. Reuniting with director Sally Potter for the fourth time,…
February 25, 2020
Watch: Director/Writer Joe Talbot and Star Jimmie Fails Discuss THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO
THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO director/writer Joe Talbot and star Jimmie Fails spoke at the AFI Conservatory about shooting the rowing scene and the themes of gentrification in their film. Watch the videos here:
February 5, 2020
AFI Remembers Cinema Legend Kirk Douglas
We join movie-lovers around the world in mourning the loss of a true cinema legend. Kirk Douglas was larger-than-life – with a legacy that includes towering onscreen performances and heroism offscreen during the dark days of the Hollywood blacklist. The American Film Institute was honored to celebrate these contributions at the AFI Life Achievement Award in…
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