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Star-Studded AFI AWARDS Kicks Off Awards Season

AFI celebrated the 2019 AFI AWARDS honorees on January 3rd which included Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Laura Dern, Ava DuVernay, Clint Eastwood, Greta Gerwig, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Martin Scorsese and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Check out the exclusive behind-the-scenes pictures of some of this year’s most talked-about filmmakers and stars.

Watch highlights from AFI’s exclusive red carpet interviews:

 

During the event, AFI revealed its official rationales for all 22 honorees, providing the cultural and historic context for inclusion in the list of the year’s most outstanding film and television programs. Take an inspiring look back at the honored stories of 2019, as they take their place in cinematic history.

Watch the official AFI AWARDS March of Time Video:

 

Mel Brooks, the 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award recipient, introduced the awards presentation by sharing a story about his late wife Anne Bancroft’s participation in the AFI Directing Workshop for Women. “It fills my heart that AFI was there to hear women’s voices.”

Closing the event, EGOT-winner Rita Moreno delivered the annual benediction in celebration of the honorees’ remarkable achievements in film and television. Moreno said to the audience of honorees, “I am filled with hope and love and excitement because times are changing, and I applaud it and I applaud you.”