News
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
AFI Alumni continue to shine at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which concludes this Sunday. This year’s slate includes feature films, episodic series and shorts that highlight the diverse voices and fresh perspectives of AFI graduates. Among the incredible projects is THE MUSICAL, originally an AFI Conservatory short from 2022, which made its world premiere as a feature. Congratulations to the Alumni behind this film (listed below) and to all the AFI creatives whose work is being recognized on one of the world’s most prestigious festival stages.
– Alexander Heller (AFI Class of 2023), Screenwriter and Producer
– Jordan Backhus (AFI Class of 2020), Producer
– Findlay Brown (AFI Class of 2023), Producer
– Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004), Executive Producer
– Tu Do (AFI Class of 2023), Cinematographer
– Alexa McWhorter (AFI Class of 2023), Art Director
– Devin Dulany (AFI Class of 2023), Editor
– Gus Murray (AFI Class of 2023), 2nd Assistant Director
– Kate McCarthy (AFI Class of 2024), 2nd Assistant Director
– Roxanne Griffith (AFI Class of 2020), Unit Production Manager
– Sam Gallen (AFI Class of 2025), Office PA
The Library of Congress has added 25 films to the National Film Registry, recognizing works of cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance and preserving the nation’s film heritage. The list includes several films by AFI Alumni.
- Edward Zwick (AFI Class of 1975), Director
- Pieter Jan Brugge (AFI Class of 1979), Co-Producer
- Steven Rosenblum (AFI Class of 1976), Editor
CLUELESS (1995)
- Amy Heckerling (AFI Class of 1974), Director
FRIDA (2002)
- Anna Thomas (AFI Screenwriting Discipline Head), Screenwriter
- Roberto Sneider (AFI Class of 1988), Producer
THE WRECKING CREW! (2008)
- Trish Govoni (AFI Class of 1988), Cinematographer
INCEPTION (2010)
- Wally Pfister, ASC (AFI Class of 1988), Cinematographer
THE LOVING STORY (2011)
- David Baldwin (AFI Class of 1974), Associate Producer
AFI Alumni films are generating strong buzz at the Sundance Film Festival, including Beth de Araújo’s intense thriller JOSEPHINE (AFI Class of 2013).
AFI feels the loss and celebrates the life of Nessa Hyams – casting director, executive, film and television director and a pioneer among the AFI Directing Workshop for Women’s inaugural class in 1974. Throughout her career, Nessa championed future filmmakers at AFI, where her memory will live on.
SXSW announced its first wave of 2026 Film and TV lineup, which features several standout films from AFI Conservatory Alumni making their premieres at the festival: https://www.afi.com/news/afi-alumni-premiere-new-films-at-the-2026-sxsw-film-festival/
Writing partners Christos Gage (AFI Class of 1994) and Ruth Fletcher Gage (AFI Class of 1994) released their feature film GROW last year, which has now been longlisted for a BAFTA nomination in the Children’s & Family Film category.
AFI Thesis Film BEHIND THE MASK will screen at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 9 and 10. The time-traveling, theatrical family drama was written and directed by Catherine Andre (AFI Class of 2025), produced by Becca E. Davis (AFI Class of 2025), edited by Matthew Gelzer (AFI Class of 2024) and features cinematography by Simran Sawhney (AFI Class of 2025).
Guy Magar (AFI Class of 1978) will release his 1994 dramedy LOOKIN’ ITALIAN on Blu-ray and VOD platforms on February 24, 2026, via Severin Films. Check out the trailer here: https://share.google/TBTqQPdgxu5i7it2P
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER cinematographer Michael Bauman (AFI Class of 1992) sat down with Variety’s Inside the Frameto discuss how Paul Thomas Anderson envisioned the film’s look.
The LA Times interviewed SINNERS cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009) on her recent Academy Award nomination: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2026-01-22/autumn-durald-arkapaw-on-her-historic-oscar-nomination-for-sinners
Darren Aronofsky (AFI Class of 1992) has unveiled an animated short-form series about the American Revolution titled ON THIS DAY…1776, produced in partnership with Google DeepMind. New episodes will be released on Time’s YouTube channel throughout 2026.
The American Cinema Editors unveiled the contenders for the 76th annual Eddie Awards. Congratulations to the AFI Alumni whose exceptional work has once again earned well-deserved nominations.
BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (Drama, Theatrical):
HAMNET
-Affonso Gonçalves, ACE (AFI Class of 1993), Editor
BEST EDITED LIMITED SERIES:
DEATH BY LIGHTNING
-Anna Hauger, ACE (AFI Class of 2009), Editor
BEST EDITED SHORT:
GYOPO
-Mengyao Mia Zhang (AFI Class of 2020), Editor
Congratulations to the AFI Alumni who received nominations at the Writers Guild Awards.
TELEVISION, STREAMING, AND NEWS:
DRAMA SERIES
PLURIBUS
-Vera Blasi (AFI Class of 1991), Executive Story Editor, Screenwriter
SEVERANCE
-Wei-Ning Yu (AFI Class of 2010), Screenwriter
NEW SERIES
PLURIBUS
-Vera Blasi (AFI Class of 1991), Executive Story Editor, Screenwriter
TASK
-Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005), Screenwriter
EPISODIC DRAMA:
“A STILL SMALL VOICE” (TASK)
-Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005), Screenwriter