March News
AFI JUST HIT 200 MILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE
We are thrilled to announce that the AFI YouTube channel just reached 200 million views! Thank you to all of you who’ve made this possible and who have tuned in to see highlights from the Conservatory, AFI AWARDS, AFI FEST presented by Audi, the AFI Life Achievement Award and more. Watch a new video celebrating this milestone, and if you want to see more than 1,600 exclusive videos found only on the AFI YouTube channel, make sure you subscribe today!
ALUMNI WAIVERS FOR AFI DOCS - DEADLINE MARCH 6
The late submission deadline for AFI DOCS — AFI’s annual celebration of the best contemporary documentary filmmaking from across the globe — is quickly approaching! As an AFI alum, you can submit your film for free. Contact Alumni@AFI.com for information on how to submit by March 6.
CALL FOR ENTRIES ANNOUNCED FOR AFI FEST 2020
AFI FEST presented by Audi is now open for submissions! As an AFI alum, you can submit your film for free. Contact Alumni@AFI.com for more information on how to submit.
WATCH CLIPS FROM RECENT AFI SEMINARS FEATURING MARYAM TOUZANI, SCOTT SILVER, BRAD FALCHUK AND MORE
Writer/director Maryam Touzani spoke about making her film ADAM and how the movie carried her truth.
JOKER co-writer and AFI alum Scott Silver (AFI Class of 1992) talked to Fellows about the importance of finding your own writing process.
AFI alum Brad Falchuk (AFI Class of 1994),writer/director/creator on such shows as GLEE, 911, POSE, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, AMERICAN CRIME STORY, THE POLITICIAN and many more, talks about writing and storytelling.
THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON filmmakers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz discuss being homeless, how they first started making movies together and how they cast the star of their film, Zack Gottsagen.
THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO director/writer Joe Talbot and star Jimmie Fails spoke about shooting the rowing scene and the themes of gentrification in their film.
DANIEL ISN’T REAL writer/director Adam Mortimer talks with Amy Nicholson about casting the film.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: AFI ALUM HEIDI LEVITT ON COLLABORATING WITH DIRECTORS AND CASTING SALLY POTTER’S NEW FILM
A champion of global cinema and internationally recognized filmmakers, alumna and AFI producing faculty Heidi Levitt (AFI Class of 1987) premiered her new film THE ROADS NOT TAKEN, starring Elle Fanning and Javier Bardem, at the Berlin International Film Festival. Throughout her career, Levitt has worked with filmmakers as eclectic as Oliver Stone, Wayne Wang, Sally Potter and Wim Wenders, while continuing to cast for theatre where she got her start. AFI spoke with her about her new film, her casting process and what she learned in the AFI producing program.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE.
In Other Alumni News….
GOD’S COUNTRY, the feature directorial debut of Julian Higgins (AFI Class of 2010), will star Thandie Newton. Cold Mountain and The Film Arcade will produce. Co-written by Higgins and Shaye Ogbonna (AFI Class of 2011), the film crew includes producer Halee Bernard (AFI Class of 2015), cinematographer Andrew Wheeler (AFI Class of 2010), editor Justin LaForge (AFI Class of 2010) and LP/UPM Dwjuan Fox (AFI Class of 2007).
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (AFI Class of 1995) directed the pilot of Amazon Prime’s HUNTER starring Al Pacino. He also serves as executive producer, and fellow alum Frederick Elmes (AFI Class of 1972) shot the pilot.
THE CARD COUNTER from director/writer Paul Schrader (AFI Class of 1969) adds Martin Scorsese as executive producer.
Cinematographer Sara Mishara’s (AFI Class of 2002) MY SALINGER YEAR recently opened the Berlin International Film Festival. The film is based on Joanna Rakoff’s international bestseller.
Dime Davis (DWW Class of 2015), Katrelle Kindred (DWW Class of 2018) and Tiffany Johnson (DWW Class of 2018) collectively directed all the episodes for season 2 of BOOMERANG, which is based on the iconic 90’s film starring Eddie Murphy and Halle Berry. The new season begins March 11.
Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001) and Lars Sylvest (AFI Class of 1999) are set to executive produce THE UNKNOWN MAN, starring Joel Edgerton.
Tiffany Hsu (DWW Class of 2013) was named as a 2020 Film Independent Screenwriting Lab Fellow.
BOOKSMART, executive produced by Jillian Longnecker (AFI Class of 2002), won Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Daniel Dreifuss (AFI Class of 2007) will produce a new adaptation of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, starring Daniel Brühl.
DWW Alum Chris Sanagustin (AFI Class of 2007) was named President of Pine Tree Entertainment, Bill Brady’s (THE BIG BANG THEORY) new production company.
Jeff Vespa (AFI Class of 1993) premiered his documentary VOICES OF PARKLAND at Theatre at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to benefit the nonprofit Brady: United Against Gun Violence. The film was executive produced by Judd Apatow.
A new dark comedy series from Andy Siara (AFI Class of 2015) and Sam Esmail (AFI Class of 2004), THE RESORT, is being developed by UCP and produced by Anonymous Content.
WeForShe revealed their 2020 list of the best unproduced, female-written TV scripts. Andrea Janakas (AFI Class of 2005) and her script “Bliss” are included on the list.
The digital series THE REHEARSAL, directed by and starring Jaclyn Bethany (AFI Class of 2018) has been shortlisted for the Daytime Emmy in four categories – Best Leading Actress in a Digital Drama, Best Supporting Actress in a Digital Drama, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. The series is also nominated for seven Indie Series Awards, including Best Directing. Alumni Mikhail Makeyev (AFI Class of 2017) produced the project, and it was edited by Hammad Hassan (AFI Class of 2018).