April News
“CARES” Act and What It Means For AFI Alumni
On March 27, “CARES” Act was signed into legislation in order to offset the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and includes a few key provisions that may be especially helpful to AFI Alumni. We’ve compiled a brief explainer which includes information about unemployment benefits, student loans and other relief.
Industry and Community Resources for AFI Alumni
With the impact of the coronavirus slowing our community to a standstill, AFI is committed to helping Conservatory alumni during this challenging time. Last week, Alumni Affairs sent an email with a list of resources. We’ve also added the list to the AFI website and will update the post as more information and resources are made available.
Q&A with Dean Susan Ruskin
As we continue to evolve to meet this unprecedented moment prompted by the COVID-19 crisis, AFI turned to Dean Susan Ruskin to discuss how the AFI Conservatory has transitioned to online learning over the past several weeks and how Fellows, faculty and staff are adjusting.
We spoke with her about the state of the industry, assembling community resources and relief funds and how AFI alumni can help one another through this challenging time.
AFI Alumni Projects Streaming Online
As we all stay home to flatten the curve, AFI wants to share and support your work with your fellow alumni and the world. Whether it’s a long-awaited digital premiere or a first-run theatrical release headed to VOD early, be sure to check out your fellow AFI alumni projects that are available to stream online.
If you have a project you’d like included on the list, please fill out this form.
AFI Movie Club Launch
Let’s watch movies together – while apart. AFI Movie Club has launched with its first film title: THE WIZARD OF OZ. Each day, AFI will announce a new title accompanied by fun trivia and special content from the AFI Catalog and Archive, and you get to be a part of the conversation. AFI Movie Club is free and works with your preexisting streaming service credentials. And be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to catch the daily announcements by special guests.
Alumni Update Forms
We want to hear from you. So we created an easy form for you fill out whenever you want to share information or updates about one of your projects or a fellow alum’s project. And then we’ll share it in Alumni Connection. Bookmark this link and keep everyone updated about all of your great work.
DWW Films Now Available to Stream
In March, AFI Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) launched the online premiere of the films by the Class of 2020. Congratulations to the DWW filmmakers: Robin Cloud, Revati Dhomse, Ashley Eakin, Tiffany Frances, Marie Jamora, Bridget Moloney, Lara Panah-Izadi and Nicole Taylor-Roberts!
Fee Waiver for AFI FEST
AFI FEST presented by Audi is accepting 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 HLMS Seminars
BLOW THE MAN DOWN directors/writers Danielle Krudy & Bridget Savage Cole (DWW Class of 2011) and cinematographer Todd Banhazl (AFI Class of 2009) discuss their latest creation and approach to filmmaking. WATCH NOW
SAINT FRANCES cinematographer Nate Hurtsellers (AFI Class of 2014), director Alex Thompson and writer, producer and star Kelly O’Donnell talk about the experience of working with a child actor while making the film. WATCH NOW
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT director/co-writer Gurinder Chadha talks about how a script comes alive during the entire filmmaking process. WATCH NOW
THE CLIMB director/writer/producer/actor Michael Angelo Covino and writer/producer/actor Kyle Marvin talk about filming the ... SHOW MORE
In Other Alumni News…
Cinematographer Todd Banhazl (AFI Class of 2009) spoke with Variety about his new film BLOW THE MAN DOWN, now streaming on Amazon.
Two feature projects production designed by Adele Caine (AFI Class of 2017) — BLUSH, starring Wendi McLendon Covey, and Joe Begos’ BLISS, are now streaming online.
THE PINKERTON, written by Daniel Casey (AFI Class of 2007), marks the first original film project from the recent partnership of WarnerMedia and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot.
Hanelle Culpepper (DWW Class of 2002) is set to direct and co-executive produce the KUNG FU reboot pilot for Warner Bros. Television.
Sabrina Doyle (AFI Class of 2012) has been named a recipient of Women in Film’s Finishing Fund grant for her narrative feature film LORELEI.
SINGLE, directed by Ashley Eakin (DWW Class of 2020), has won a Special Jury Recognition prize at this year’s SXSW. Cinematographer Sam Chatterjee (AFI Class of 2018), editor Charlie Carter (AFI Class of 2019) and co-producer Summer Yang (AFI Class of 2018) all worked on the film.
Liz Hannah (AFI Class of 2009) will make her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of UNDER ANOTHER NAME for Universal Pictures, Chris Morgan Productions and Pascal Pictures.
Ann Kaneko (DWW Class of 2000) and Daresha Kyi (AFI Class of 1991) have both been named Fellows in the 2020 Doc Lab from Film Independent.
Frances Kroon (AFI Class of 2018) and Bowie Yue (AFI Class of 2018) have both been recognized by Film Independent as 2020 Project Involve Fellows.
Sally Mattison (AFI Class of 1986) was recently featured as a co-presenter and guest lecturer by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, discussing reality television and concert touring in a course on entertainment law.
Bridget Moloney (DWW Class of 2020) and her DWW short BLOCKS were featured by the Los Angeles Times as part of a docuseries entitled JOURNEY TO SUNDANCE.
THE DUSTER, co-written by Latoya Morgan (AFI Class of 2005) and J.J. Abrams, has been ordered straight to series by HBO MAX
Jennifer Niven (AFI Class of 1993) spoke with the Hollywood Reporter about the Netflix adaption of her 2015 novel ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES. The screenplay was co-written by Niven and Liz Hannah (AFI Class of 2009).
WATCHER, a psychological thriller from Chloe Okuno (AFI Class of 2014), has the greenlight at Image Nation and Spooky Pictures.
Robert Richardson (AFI Class of 1979) has signed on for Netflix’s DON’T LOOK UP, directed by Adam McKay and starring Jennifer Lawrence.
KAJILLIONAIRE, co-produced by Amber Sealey (DWW Class of 2019) and executive produced by Jillian Longnecker (AFI Class of 2002), is set for a June 19th release from Focus Features.
Howard Smith (AFI Class of 1970) was recently awarded the James Buckley Award for Writing Excellence from the Profant Foundation for the Arts for his recent novel, Beethoven in Love; Opus 139.
Courtney Stephens’ (AFI Class of 2009) film THE AMERICAN SECTOR was named by IndieWire as one of the best films to screen at this year’s Berlinale Film Festival.