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 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 Alumni: A Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that will last through December 31,…
March 24, 2020
Industry and Community Resources for AFI Alumni
With the impact of the coronavirus slowing our community to a standstill, AFI is committed to helping Conservatory alumni 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. Please email us at Alumni@AFI.com if you…
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 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 21, 2020
AFI Directing Alum Zoé Wittock on her Sundance Feature JUMBO
AFI Alum Zoé Wittock (Directing, Class of 2010) is set to debut her feature film JUMBO at Sundance 2020. The film follows a shy young woman who develops an intense relationship with the amusement park ride. Wittock joins over 25 other AFI Alumni with projects at Sundance 2020. Watch Wittock discuss the inspiration for her…
December 17, 2019
AFI Alumni Shortlisted for Academy Awards
Congratulations to the AFI thesis film MILLER & SON which has been shortlisted for an Academy Award® in the Live Action Short Film category! It was just two months ago that MILLER AND SON director Asher Jelinsky (AFI Class of 2018) won a Gold Medal at the Student Academy Awards®. And STAY CLOSE, a labor…
December 13, 2019
Television Academy Honors AFI Conservatory Thesis Films
Another proud moment for AFI Conservatory Alumni! Two AFI thesis films – THEY WON’T LAST and BALLON – received nominations from the Television Academy’s 40th Annual College Television Awards for excellence in college student-produced films. And the AFI film FORT IRWIN was named as the recipient of the 2020 Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship….
December 12, 2019
AFI Alumni Receive Grants for Directing and Screenwriting Achievement
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2019 AFI Alumni Awards! AFI Alumni Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in directing and screenwriting, were awarded to the following members of the Class of 2018 during a private alumni reception at this year’s AFI FEST presented by Audi. Omer Ben-Shachar received a Richard P. Rogers Spirit of Excellence…
December 6, 2019
AFI Alumni at Sundance 2020
Sundance Film Festival announced their 2020 lineup and we’re proud of the many alumni who will be representing the AFI Conservatory in Park City! Here is the full list of the 34 alumni and their 27 projects that will be screening at Sundance 2020: ARABIAN ALIEN Producer: Almotaz Aljefri (Class of 2019) Cinematographer: Aakash…
December 5, 2019
Alumni Matching Challenge Needs You!
A very generous AFI alumnus has stepped forward to issue a challenge to raise $25,000 from AFI alumni by December 31. If we are successful in this Alumni Scholarship Challenge, this anonymous donor will match those gifts dollar for dollar! By donating to the Challenge, you will be making a difference for people like alumni…
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