November 2024 News
AFI FEST 2024 Wraps!
Thank you to all the AFI Conservatory Alumni who joined us at AFI FEST 2024, held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. It was a pleasure to showcase the latest works of our talented graduates, host the AFI Conservatory Showcase featuring AFI Thesis Films and celebrate all of your incredible achievements.
Explore exclusive red carpet photos, enjoy captivating conversations with filmmakers and learn more about this year’s Grand Jury Award Winners!
Pitch Perfect: Crafting Impactful Visual Decks from a Storyteller's Perspective
Thank you to all the AFI Alumni who attended Pitch Perfect: Crafting Impactful Visual Decks from a Storyteller’s Perspective at AFI FEST 2024! We were honored to have Lawrence Sher, ASC, the Academy Award®-nominated cinematographer of JOKER, as our keynote speaker. Attendees gained valuable insights on creating compelling pitches for studios and investors while enjoying a complimentary Canva Pro license to enhance their visual presentations. We appreciate all of you who were able to attend and look forward to seeing you at other upcoming events!
AFI FEST 2024 Merch
Celebrate the excitement of AFI FEST 2024 with our brand-new festival merchandise! From stylish t-shirts and totes to hoodies and more, we have something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to take home a piece of this year’s festival and keep the memories alive.
Francis Ford Coppola Named as 50th AFI Life Achievement Award Honoree
Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, renowned for THE GODFATHER TRILOGY, THE CONVERSATION and APOCALYPSE NOW, has been named the 50th recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor in American film! AFI will pay tribute to the five-time Academy Award® winner at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26, 2025.
AFI Conservatory Named One of The Wrap's Top Film Schools
We are thrilled to announce that the AFI Conservatory has been named one of the top film schools in the country by The Wrap! This prestigious recognition celebrates the Conservatory’s dedication to nurturing creative talent, fostering innovative storytelling and preparing the next generation of filmmakers to make their mark in the industry. Congratulations to our Alumni, Fellows and Faculty for this well-deserved honor!
2024 AFI Conservatory Directing Showcase
On October 22, the AFI Conservatory proudly presented the remarkable work of the Directing Class of 2024. Attendees had the opportunity to meet the directors and hear firsthand about their upcoming projects, each filled with creativity, vision and a passion for storytelling. Discover more about these up-and-coming directors and their innovative projects.
AFI Conservatory Applications Now Open for Fall of 2025!
AFI Alumni, do you know any aspiring filmmakers who are ready to elevate their craft? Applications for the AFI Conservatory are now open for Fall 2025, including Directing, Editing, Cinematography, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting, through December 4, 2024. If you know of any talented individuals who would thrive in our program, please feel free to share this incredible opportunity with them!
Sustainability Through Storytelling
November kicks off with World Ecology Day on November 1, providing the perfect opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the environment and the role storytelling can play in shaping our understanding of climate change. This month, watch a powerful public service announcement created by Climate Onscreen and narrated by Meryl Streep, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change through film. Additionally, you can explore valuable resources, access sustainability guides and more to help make a difference.
Visit the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center
Looking to organize a meeting, table read or rehearsal? Just a reminder, that one of the exclusive benefits of being an AFI Conservatory Alumni is that you can book our conference and multi-purpose rooms at the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center on campus. Reach out to our Alumni Affairs team at alumni@AFI.com for more details and to check availability.
Connect with Fellow AFI Alumni on Backlot
Are you seeking collaborators, creative guidance or the opportunity to mentor fellow AFI Alumni and help them navigate the industry? Interested in receiving weekly updates to stay informed about the latest news happening in the AFI Community? Sign up for AFI Backlot today to engage and enrich our community!
Request an AFI Email
Would you like an AFI email address to facilitate easier communication with other AFI Conservatory Alumni? Or are you a recent graduate who requires assistance with your AFI Alumni Account? If so, please reach out to our Alumni Affairs team today.
In Other AFI News…
AWARDS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND OTHER HONORS
The From Minutes to Movies ShortFest competition revealed that SINGLE RESIDENCE OCCUPANCY, directed by Omer Ben-Shachar (AFI Class of 2018) and Belinda Huijuan Tang, was named the first-place winner. The AFI Thesis film LOLA, directed by Grace Hanna, written by Duke Yang and produced by Uloaku Anyiam Osigwe (all AFI Class of 2023), came in second place.
Congratulations to AFI Conservatory Alum Arden Earnest (AFI Class of 2024) who took home the 2024 ScreenCraft Feature Competition Grand Prize for her script “Counterpoint.”
AFI Alumni Lauren Guiteras (AFI Class of 2017) and Veronica Bouza (AFI Class of 2020) were named as part of Variety’s Top 10 Cinematographers to Watch list this year.
Acclaimed editor and DWW Alum Maysie Hoy (AFI DWW Class of 1977) is set to be honored with a Career Achievement Award at the 75th annual ACE Eddie Awards on January 18, 2025, at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN, based on the New York Times best-selling book by Azar Nafisi and executive produced by AFI Faculty Dana Lustig (AFI Class of 1988), has won the audience award at the Rome Film Festival.
The Busan International Film Festival awarded the Camellia Award to production designer Ryu Seong-hie (AFI Class of 1998), whose credits include Bong Joon Ho’s MEMORIES OF MURDER and THE HOST, as well as Park Chan-wook’s OLDBOY and DECISION TO LEAVE. Accepting the award, Ryu reflected on various points in her career when she was told that genre films were reserved for men and that her production design skills were only needed for melodramas or romance, saying “Being rejected countless times by production companies, I decided to survive and change their bias.”
AFI Alum Joewi Verhoven (AFI Class of 2023) was honored this week with the John Bailey ASC Student Graduate Award for his AFI Thesis film TAHA.
NEW HIRES AND PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION
PENDULUM, produced by AFI Alum Darren Aronofsky (AFI Class of 1992), has recruited actor Joseph Gordon Levitt to star in the horror film.
Sam Esmail (AFI Class of 2004) is set to produce THE HOLE through his banner Esmail Corp. The film is based on the eponymous novel by Hye-young Pyun, which won the 2017 Shirley Jackson Award, and is directed by Kim Jee-woon, written by Christopher Chen and will star Theo James.
Patty Jenkins (AFI Class of 2000) has been tapped to direct and produce a live-action Lego movie for Universal from a script she wrote with former DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns (WONDER WOMAN 1984, TV’s THE FLASH).
Yelyna De León will star in and direct the romantic comedy 20 POUNDS TO HAPPINESS, which is set to be written by Josefina López – who attended AFI’s TV Writer’s Workshop in 1999.
Singer and actress Lisa Velez, best known for her ‘80s success with the group Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, will be the focus of an upcoming biopic on Lifetime from a script written by AFI DWW Alum Rebecca Murga (AFI DWW Class of 2015).
Director Chloe Okuno (AFI Class of 2012) has reunited with star of THE WATCHER, Maika Monroe, for the new horror film BRIDES.
Actors Justin Long, Jermaine Fowler and RJ Cyler have joined the indie horror feature NIGHT PATROL, which features the work of the following Alumni: director/writer Ryan Prows, writers Shaye Ogbonna, Tim Cairo and Jake Gibson, cinematographer Benjamin Kitchens and producer Narineh Hacopian – all from the AFI Class of 2011.
FILM INITIATIVES
The Red Sea Film Foundation’s programs, announces the selected participants for the second edition of SeriesLab program, including AFI filmmaking team Noorah Al-Eidi (AFI Class of 2023) and Sheheryar Ahsan (AFI Class of 2022).
The Redford Center, one of the few U.S.-based nonprofits dedicated solely to environmental impact filmmaking, has awarded funding to 13 projects, including ONE POINT FIVE, produced by Oscar® winner and AFI Conservatory Alum Diane Becker (AFI Class of 2006). The film “follows key climate diplomats and activists from around the globe as they fight to save the planet and deliver climate and environmental justice.”
Film Independent announced its fellows for this year’s Fiction Feature Producing Lab, including AFI Conservatory Alum Liz Daering-Glass (AFI Class of 2019).
John Heinsen (AFI Class of 1996) was named a Mentor for the XR Inclusion Africa Program. The XR Mentorship Program Africa is an eight-week program designed to nurture up-and-coming African creators in the XR industry, helping them enhance their skills, receive industry guidance, and grow their a XR projects and companies.
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and the Black List have selected 10 screenwriters for the fourth annual CAPE List, including AFI Alumni Jean E. Lee (AFI DWW Class of 2014) and Sharat Raju (AFI Class of 2003).
The Sundance Institute and Gold House have revealed the second cohort of the Sundance Institute’s One House Filmmakers Fund, including AFI DWW Alum April Maxey (AFI DWW Class of 2022).
Inside Out has announced the 2024 recipients of its RE:Focus Fund, which supports post-production and promotional efforts, including AFI Alumni Radha Mehta for her film WITNESS and Ariel Mahler (both AFI Class of 2023) for UNEVEN.
MAJOR DEALS
AFI Conservatory Alum and Emmy®-nominated writer, producer and director Liz Hannah (AFI Class of 2009) has signed an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television.
NEW TRAILERS
Sony has released the first trailer for ONE OF THEM DAYS, its R-rated buddy comedy produced by Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012) and starring Keke and Grammy Award winner SZA. The film is set to be released in theaters on January 24, 2025.
NEW RELEASES
THE LAST RODEO, a new bull riding drama directed by AFI Alum Jon Avnet (AFI Class of 1972) and co-written, produced by and starring Neal McDonough, will be released during Memorial Day weekend on May 23, 2025.
BROTHERS, directed by AFI Alum Max Barbakow (AFI Class of 2015), recently premiered in theaters and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
BLINK, the new documentary produced by Diane Becker (AFI Class of 2006), was named a New York Times’ Critics Pick. The film captures a family’s extraordinary journey around the world as they confront the heartbreaking reality that three of their children are losing their sight.
WEREWOLVES, shot by cinematographer Brandon Cox (AFI Class of 2004), will premiere in theaters on December 6. Check out the trailer now:
Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth star in the new romance LONELY PLANET, written, directed and executive produced by Susannah Grant (AFI Class of 1991), which is now available to stream on Netflix.
All* In Action Fund has partnered with director and AFI DWW Alum Gandja Monteiro (AFI DWW Class of 2018, WEDNESDAY, AGATHA ALL ALONG) to produce the new film, THE TRIAL, about the danger of abortion bans. Check out the film below.
Forbes reviewed the new horror series TEACUP, remarking that, “Teacup is off to a scary start with a cast of complicated characters.” AFI Alum Chloe Okuno (AFI Class of 2012) directed several episodes of the series.
DISTRIBUTION
IFC Films and Sapan Studio has picked up the rights to THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA, directed and co-written by Samir Oliveros (AFI Class of 2019) and produced by Amanda Freedman (AFI Class of 2019).
Republic Pictures has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to Alex Winter’s ADULTHOOD, starring Josh Gad, Kaya Scodelario, Billie Lourd and Anthony Carrigan alongside Winter. The film was executive produced by AFI Alum Thorsten Schumacher (AFI Class of 2001).
RENEWALS
Netflix has renewed THE NIGHT AGENT, executive produced by AFI Conservatory Alum Munis Rashid (AFI Class of 2016), for a third season.
FILM AND TV FESTIVALS
The Guadalajara Film Festival is showcasing ECSTASY, the directorial debut of AFI Alum and cinematographer Carolina Costa (AFI Class of 2013).
Directing Alum Lilly Hu’s (AFI Class of 2020) 1 GIRL INFINITE will have its world premiere at The International Film Festival Rotterdam, which runs from January 25 to February 4.
The 2025 ATX TV Festival scheduled to run from May 29 – June 1 will feature a panel including THE LEFTOVERS co-creators Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, director/executive producer Mimi Leder (AFI Class of 1973), along with cast members Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Ann Dowd, and Kevin Carroll.
The thriller series OPERATION SABRE, created and directed by AFI Conservatory Alum Goran Stanković (AFI Class of 2013), will next play at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival’s TV industry showcase TV Beats Forum.
Congratulations to our talented AFI Alumni featured in the PROOF Film Festival hosted by the American Cinematheque!
- BROKEN TOILETS: Writer/Director/Producer: Jesse Toledano; Producers: Justin Ambrosino, Thomas Mahoney; Cinematographer: Kobi Zaig-Mendez; Editor: Ralph Jean-Pierre; Production Designer: Clarisa Garcia-Fresco
- CARPETEO: Writer/Director/Producer: Adriana González-Vega
- A FAMILY GUIDE TO HUNTING: Producer: Joyce Liu-Countryman; Cinematographer: Brian Nguyen; Production Designer: Emma Koh
- FISHMONGER: Writer/Director: Neil Ferron: Writer: Alexandra Dennis-Renner; Producer: Jordan Willcox; Music: John Graney; Cinematographer: Jack McDonald; Editor: Augustine So; Production Designer: Xiyu Lin
- SEW TORN: Director: Freddy MacDonald
- WATER DOG: Writer/Director/Producer: Christina Kelly Holmes; Producer: Roxanne Griffith; Cinematographer: Amanda Ferrarese; Editor: Lauren Skelton; Production Designer: Bronte Campbell, Esmé Jackson
The European Union Film Festival is gearing up for its three-city tour in India, with FIVE & A HALF LOVE STORIES director and AFI Alum Tomas Vengris (AFI Class of 2012) set to attend the Delhi stop.
IN OTHER NEWS
Ira Miller’s (AFI Class of 1988) eighth book “Surviving the Storm” was published last month by Amphorae Publishing Group. The thriller is about three dysfunctional couples working at a Caribbean resort who are desperately trying to navigate their emotional lives while being suspects in the murder of a co-worker. Miller has already written a screenplay adaptation.
AFI Alum Rachel Morrison (AFI Class of 2006), the first woman ever nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Cinematography, was recently featured in The Wrap’s cover story, where she shared insights into her journey from the AFI Conservatory to becoming an acclaimed cinematographer and director.
Creator and writer Shaye Ogbonna (AFI Class of 2011) spoke to Variety about his personal connections to his new series FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST.
The Los Angeles Times published a piece written by AFI Screenwriting Alum Natalie Zimmerman (AFI Class of 2018) on the six fall road trips to California mountain towns you should experience.