October 2025 News
Annual Screenwriting Spotlight Highlights 2025 Graduates
Screenwriting Alumni from the AFI Conservatory Class of 2025 attended the annual Screenwriting Spotlight for an opportunity to pitch their projects to 73 agents, managers, industry executives and producers. Hosted at the Writers Guild of America, the event proved oversold and reports are that several deals have already been made.
AFI Thesis Pitch Raises Over $150,000 for Emerging Talent
Our remarkably talented AFI Conservatory Fellows had the exciting opportunity last month to pitch their thesis films to a group of generous donors. Thanks to their incredible support, more than $150,000 was raised to fund these projects—over double than that of last year! Congratulations to team NORTH BY NORTHRIDGE (FKA JESS & MAE – THE END OF A LOVE AFFAIR) for taking home the night’s top prize.
Reserve a Space at the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center
Planning a meeting, table read or rehearsal? As an AFI Conservatory Alum, you can book our versatile conference and multi-purpose rooms at the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center. Please review the updated campus access website and request a campus visit.
Join the AFI Alumni Network on Backlot
Looking for collaborators, industry insights or opportunities to mentor fellow AFI Alumni? Stay connected with the latest happenings in the AFI community by signing up for AFI Backlot. It’s your space to share, connect and strengthen our creative network!
Request an AFI Email
Need an AFI email address to streamline communication with fellow Alumni or assistance with your AFI Alumni account? Our Alumni Affairs team is here to help – contact us today!
AFI FRIDAY UPDATE
The full lineup for AFI FEST presented by Canva is live! Starting today, Staff & Faculty can claim their 10-Ticket Bundles here, and AFI Fellows can claim theirs here. On Monday, watch for details on how to enter raffles for a Pass and for tickets to a Red Carpet Premiere.
Conservatory News:
AFI Alumni Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005) and Keith P. Cunningham (AFI Class of 1990) returned to campus this week to participate in a standing room only seminar about their new hit TASK. After a screening of the pilot, the longtime collaborators reflected on how they brought the world of Delco to life alongside their team, some of whom, including assistant art director Katelyn Ann Budke (AFI Class of 2018), were also in the audience.
Cunningham reflected on how special it felt to be back on Campus, this time onstage: “One of my favorite moments of being at AFI was screening films and shows and asking questions.” Ingelsby closed out the session with: “You can do it. It’s scary and daunting, but it is entirely possible that if you work hard, have a really good work ethic and generate your own material, the best story wins.”
New Breaks:
Marshall Herskovitz (AFI Class of 1975) is the co-host alongside Nick Knudsen on THE RISING, a new podcast show from The Dangerous Ones Network.
Film Independent announced its 2025 Producing Lab Fellows, including Alumna Gabrielle Cordero (AFI Class of 2019) in the lineup. Alumni Diane Becker (AFI Class of 2006) and Steven Berger (AFI Class of 2010) were also announced as guest speakers in the program.
Darren Aronofsky (AFI Class of 1992)-produced documentary VICTOR, which chronicles a deaf war photographer throughout Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, opens in Los Angeles on October 3.
Written by Nick Simon (AFI Class of 2008), horror comedy COYOTES has been acquired by Signature in the U.K. The film opens in theaters today.
Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz (AFI Class of 2023) was interviewed by Deadline in a profile on his award-winning short film, WHEN BIG PEOPLE LIE, which he directed as his AFI thesis film.
Ilayda Cetinkaya (AFI Class of 2023) was named the Directing of Programming at the 20th South East European Film Festival in Los Angeles: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPSTtO3k5eM/?hl=en
Tan Siyou (AFI DWW+ Class of 2019) was featured in Deadline on her award-winning debut, AMOEBA, which premiered in the Discovery section of Toronto International Film Festival and is set to screen at AFI FEST this month.
Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (AFI Class of 2013) has been named as co-showrunner and executive producer on THE BOYS: MEXICO, a third spinoff of the franchise.
Ari Aster’s (AFI Class of 2010) EDDINGTON was announced to have its debut showing in Japan at the Tokyo Film Festival 2025.
Additionally at the Tokyo Film Festival, Paul Schrader’s (AFI Class of 1969) MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS will finally screen to Japanese audiences after a 40-year de facto ban.
Have an exciting piece of news, an upcoming project or career accolade to announce? Let us know so we can share with the AFI community!