AFI announced today that Shaz Bennett (AFI DWW Class of 2012) will be the AFI DWW+ Guest Artistic Director for the Class of 2023-2024. Bennett was showrunner and executive producer on the final season of QUEEN SUGAR alongside creator Ava DuVernay, after both writing and directing on season six. Bennett’s debut feature film ALASKA IS...

Created by Ava DuVernay and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, QUEEN SUGAR is a groundbreaking television series about a trio of siblings who attempt to run their family's sugarcane farm in rural Louisiana after tragedy strikes. Hailed for its inclusivity onscreen and off, the show features the directing talents of AFI Conservatory alumni Neema Barnette...