August 1, 2020
NOW PLAYING: AFI Alumni Projects Online
Looking for a new film or TV series to watch online? Whether it’s a long-awaited digital premiere or a first-run theatrical release headed to VOD early, be sure to check out the following AFI alumni projects that are available to stream online. New Projects for August 2020 20th Century Woman: The Documentary Films of…
July 17, 2020
Julie Dash on DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST and her Trailblazing Career
Julie Dash (AFI Class of 1974) is one of the most well-respected and inventive visual storytellers of her generation. After attending AFI in the mid-‘70s, she received her MFA in Film and Television Production from UCLA. She made an auspicious start with bold short films – ILLUSIONS and DIARY OF AN AFRICAN NUN – and…
May 14, 2020
AFI Movie Club: DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS
DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS stars two-time Academy Award®-winning actor Denzel Washington, who was honored with the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award. The film was directed by AFI Conservatory alum Carl Franklin (Class of 1986). Watch Issa Rae announce the film: Movie Trivia about DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS –DID YOU KNOW that DEVIL…
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…
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
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 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 4, 2020
Production Designer Yong Ok Lee on her Sundance films MINARI and THE FAREWELL
Following her work on the critically-acclaimed THE FAREWELL – a 2019 AFI AWARDS recipient, AFI alum Yong Ok Lee (Production Design, Class of 2013) returned to Sundance for the second year in a row with MINARI – which won the U.S. dramatic grand jury prize and the dramatic audience award at this year’s festival. The film, inspired by director…
January 16, 2020
AFI Alumni Projects to Screen at SXSW 2020
SXSW Film Festival announced their 2020 lineup and we’re proud of the many alumni who will be representing the AFI Conservatory and keeping it weird in Austin this March. Here is the full list of the alumni and their projects that will be screening at SXSW 2020: BE WATER Cinematographer: Caleb Heller (AFI Class…
January 13, 2020
AFI Alums earn Oscar Noms
On January 13, 2020, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 92nd Academy Awards®. Congratulations to the following AFI Conservatory alumni for their Oscar nominations: Scott Silver (AFI Class of 1992) Best Adapted Screenplay – JOKER Robert Richardson (AFI Class of 1979) Best Cinematography – ONCE UPON A TIME…IN…
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