May 26, 2020
AFI Remembers Trailblazer Lynn Shelton
“Anyone of you who are out there thinking that you can’t make a movie because nobody is stepping up to the plate and giving you money and permission to do it. You can. You can do it. You can empower yourself. You can pick up a camera. The technology is there. You can get your…
May 13, 2020
Congratulations to the AFI Alumni Projects Nominated for the 2019 Peabody Awards
The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors recently announced the 2019 nominees that represent the most compelling and empowering stories released across broadcast and digital media. AFI alumni projects nominated for the prestigious award include: SUCCESSION Miguel Arteta (AFI Class of 1990), Director UNBELIEVABLE Michael Dinner (AFI Class of 1979), Director Susannah Grant (AFI Class of…
May 13, 2020
Interviewing the Award-Winning Filmmakers Behind SINGLE
Produced through AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, SINGLE is the brainchild of writer/director Ashley Eakin (DWW, Class of 2020). The sharp comedy follows a young woman (Delaney Feener) with a physical disability confronting unconscious biases – both others’ and her own – when she is set up on a blind date. Originally set to premiere…
May 7, 2020
Lawrence Herbert On His $3 Million Dollar Gift to AFI Conservatory
“At this time in history, it is my honor to create a place at AFI that will drive the future of this global connection between all of us who love a story well-told.” -Lawrence Herbert AFI recently announced a $3 million gift from AFI Trustee Emeritus Lawrence Herbert, which will establish the Lawrence Herbert Alumni…
May 1, 2020
Watch: AFI Alums Hanelle Culpepper and Tessa Blake Talk About Directing Episodic Television
AFI alums Hanelle Culpepper (DWW Class of 2002) and Tessa Blake (DWW Class of 2014) talk with Refinery 29’s movie critic Anne Cohen about working in Hollywood as episodic directors and how Hollywood can reset itself in terms of inclusion. Both directors were on set when the industry shut down: Culpepper was in Vancouver working…
April 30, 2020
AFI Announces Winners of 2020 Writers’ Room Ready Awards
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2020 Writers’ Room Ready Awards: Haley Bartels, Christina Kingsleigh Licud, Kenda Greenwood Moran and Alessandro Pederzoli! The award recognizes outstanding work by AFI Conservatory Screenwriting Fellows, and the winners will be paired with mentors, giving them an opportunity to work directly with established artists. 75% of the past winners…
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…
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