March 2025 News
Hollywood Comes Together to Celebrate AFI AWARDS
AFI recently hosted AFI AWARDS 2024, honoring the year’s standout achievements in film and television at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Explore our photo gallery capturing the remarkable filmmakers in attendance, watch the March of Time video, view the official rationales for all 21 AFI AWARDS selections and relive the highlights from this unforgettable event.
AFI Alumni Impress at the 40th Annual Spirit Awards
A big congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, held in Santa Monica, CA! We’re proud to celebrate AFI Alum Azazel Jacobs (AFI Class of 2001), who took home the Robert Altman Award for HIS THREE DAUGHTERS. Fellow AFI Conservatory graduate Shuchi Talati (AFI Class of 2011) was also the recipient of the John Cassavetes Award for GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS, honoring the best feature made for under $1 million.
AFI Alumni Make Their Mark at SXSW 2025
From March 7-15, the SXSW Film Festival will bring together trailblazing storytellers from across the nation for one of the year’s most exciting events. We’re thrilled to reveal some of the AFI Conservatory graduates whose groundbreaking new work will take center stage at the highly anticipated Austin-based festival. If your project is making its debut at SXSW and hasn’t been mentioned, we’d love to hear from you!
Hollywood Guilds Honor AFI Conservatory Alumni
As awards season wraps up, many of Hollywood’s leading Guilds have celebrated artistic excellence in film and television, revealing this year’s winners. Click below to see which AFI Alumni have been recognized this year by the ADG, ASC, DGA, PGA, and WGA – and stay tuned for the ACE Eddie Awards on March 14!
AFI Welcomes DWW+ Class of 2026 and New Guest Artistic Director
AFI is excited to introduce the incoming DWW+ Class of 2026, joining a legacy of filmmakers who have gone on to achieve great success. Through this groundbreaking directing program, participants receive expert mentorship, industry experience and hands-on training. We’re also proud that director Marie Jamora (AFI DWW Class of 2020) will serve as the new AFI DWW+ Guest Artistic Director, bringing her vision and commitment to empowering bold voices in cinema.
Celebrating Community at the Black AFI Alumni and Fellow Networking Mixer!
In celebration of Black History Month, the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center recently hosted a Black AFI Alumni and Fellow Networking Mixer on the AFI Campus. The evening featured an inspiring conversation with Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012), the talented producer of ONE OF THEM DAYS, INSECURE and A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, and offered an incredible opportunity for attendees to expand their professional networks and connect with fellow Alumni and industry leaders. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to making this event such a success!
AFI Bridge to the Future’s Screening of ONE OF THEM DAYS
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the AFI Bridge to the Future’s “A Friday Night Lights-Camera-Action” event, where we showcased the new comedy ONE OF THEM DAYS! We are incredibly grateful to our amazing panelists: producer Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012) and production designer Monique Dias (AFI Class of 2012), whose insights into making the film made the evening truly special. We look forward to more opportunities to connect and celebrate the AFI Alumni community!
YOU, ME & HER Screening and Conversation on the AFI Campus
We appreciate everyone who was able to attend our AFI screening of the indie romcom YOU, ME & HER – which recently premiered in theaters, and a special thank you to filmmakers Selina Ringel and Dan Levy Dagerman (both AFI Class of 2014), along with The Fithian Group, for offering a glimpse into their innovative distribution model that’s shaping the future of film!
AFI Conservatory Welcomes Renowned Filmmakers to Campus
We’re excited to share highlights from recent conversations with distinguished filmmakers at the AFI Conservatory. Hear French auteur Jacques Audiard discuss how AFI Conservatory Alum David Lynch (AFI Class of 1970) inspired several shots in EMILIA PÉREZ and acclaimed actor-turned-director Jesse Eisenberg offer insights into his latest work, A REAL PAIN.
Watch a Conversation with Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Lawrence Sher
In case you missed it, you can now watch the Pitch Perfect: Crafting Impactful Visual Decks workshop from AFI FEST 2024. The conversation features Academy Award®-nominated cinematographer Lawrence Sher, ASC (JOKER, THE HANGOVER, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS and GARDEN STATE) who joins the Canva team to share invaluable strategies for turning your creative vision into compelling, narrative-driven presentations. Watch the conversation now and discover how tools like Canva and ShotDeck can elevate your storytelling!
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. For availability and more details, reach out to the Alumni Affairs team at alumni@AFI.com.
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!
In Other AFI News…
AWARDS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND OTHER HONORS
Congratulations to editor Berenice Chavez (AFI Class of 2016) whose film, COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT, won the Festival Favorite Award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Cinematography Alum Sevdije Kastrati Dill (AFI Class of 2011) has officially been welcomed as a new member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Learn more about her remarkable journey as a filmmaker.
NEW HIRES AND PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION
AFI DWW Alum Lesli Linka Glatter (AFI DWW Class of 1982) has boarded the Apple TV+ series IMPERFECT WOMAN as a director and executive producer. A strong proponent of keeping film and television production in LA, she shared, “I start prep on my next project in March and I’m proud to say it’s shooting in Los Angeles.”
REPRESENTATION
AFI Conservatory Alum Radha Mehta (AFI Class of 2023) signed with Affirmative Entertainment’s Nicholas Bogner for management. DOSH, which she wrote and directed, won the Slamdance Spirit Award in 2024. Her new short film WITNESS premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2025 and is nominated for a Grand Jury Award at Florida Film Festival, among other upcoming film festivals.
AFI Alum Shuchi Talati (AFI Class of 2011), known for her award-winning debut feature GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS, has signed with Curate for management. Her film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and a Special Jury Award for acting. Talati was also up for Breakthrough Director at the 2024 Gotham Awards and the film won the John Cassavetes Award and was nominated for Best Supporting Performance at the 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards.
NEW TRAILERS
Amazon MGM Studios released the first trailer for THE ACCOUNTANT 2, starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal. The film’s Art Direction team includes AFI Conservatory Alumni Sandra Doyle Carmola (AFI Class of 2014) and Katia Najera (AFI Class of 2018).
Watch the new trailer for THE ACTOR, which stars André Holland and marks the solo directorial debut of AFI Conservatory Alum Duke Johnson (AFI Class of 2006). The film is executive produced by Ryan Gosling and Johnson’s frequent collaborator Charlie Kaufman.
Hulu released the first trailer for DELI BOYS, starring Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh and edited by AFI Faculty and Alum Varun Viswanath (AFI Class of 2012). The new series debuts March 6 on Hulu.
MCVEIGH, which explores the story behind the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, has a new trailer. Produced by Monte Zajicek (AFI Class of 2003), the film will debut in theaters and on digital platforms on March 21.
NEW RELEASES
Following the premiere of the film BLKNWS: TERMS & CONDITIONS at Sundance and subsequent screening in the new Perspectives competition in Berlin, director Kahlil Joseph sat down with Deadline for an interview where he spoke of collaborating with producer and AFI Alum Onye Anyanwu (AFI Class of 2011).
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the romantic comedy slasher film HEART EYES premiered in theaters today. Editor Brett Bachman (AFI Class of 2011) and 1st Assistant Editor Ruben Sebban (AFI Class of 2011) helped bring the film to life.
The LA Times reviewed the new series ZERO DAY, calling out the “thoughtful performance” of star and AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Robert De Niro and noting that it’s “well directed throughout by Lesli Linka Glatter” (AFI DWW Class of 1982).
DOSH written and directed by AFI Alum Radha Mehta (AFI Class of 2023), will be premiering at American Cinematheque as part of the Women Wednesday program.
Filmmakers Selina Ringel and Dan Levy Degerman (both AFI Class of 2014) were featured in Indiewire this week, discussing the independent self-distribution strategy for their new indie romcom YOU, ME & HER, which had its LA premiere this week at the Laemmle Santa Monica theater and will stream in more 200 U.S. theaters.
BOB TREVINO LIKES IT is set to have its Los Angeles premiere at the American Cinematheque on March 5. Producer and AFI Faculty Sean Mullin, producer Edgar Rosa (AFI Class of 2014), editor Anisha Acharya (AFI Class of 2014) and Post-Production Supervisor Rich Song (AFI Class of 2012) all helped bring the film to life.
JAZZY, co-written, edited and co-produced by AFI Alum Vanara Taing (AFI Class of 2012), premiered at the Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills. Taing is nominated for Best Editing and the John Cassavetes Award at this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards for her work on the film.
CLEAN SLATE, shot by cinematographer, AFI Alum and AFI Faculty member Sandra Valde-Hansen (AFI Class of 2006), premiered on Amazon Prime Video. The series stars Laverne Cox and George Wallace and was of the last shows that Norman Lear executive produced.
LA DOLCE VILLA, directed by AFI Alum Mark Waters (AFI Class of 1992), was the most-watched title of the week on Netflix with 19.8 million views in just four days.
DISTRIBUTION
Following its successful premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, PETER HUJAR’S DAY, directed by Ira Sachs and edited by Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), has been picked up by Sideshow and Janus Films. The film was also showcased at the Berlin International Film Festival and is set for a fall theatrical release.
MUBI has acquired the rights to LURKER, which recently debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film was edited by David Kashevaroff (AFI Class of 2004) and produced by Charlie McDowell (AFI Class of 2006). Focus Features has acquired the international distribution rights
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired EAST OF WALL, which premiered at Sundance and was shot by cinematographer Austin Shelton (AFI Class of 2018), co-produced by Zane Kalnina (AFI Class of 2020) and executive produced by Scott Frank (AFI Class of 1984).
FILM AND TV FESTIVALS
The highly anticipated original thriller EDDINGTON from Ari Aster (AFI Class of 2010) which stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler, is heading to the European Film Market in Berlin this month, and could potentially be eying a Cannes debut.
LEIBNIZ, CHRONICLE OF A LOST PAINTING, shot by cinematographer and AFI Conservatory Alum Matthias Grunsky (AFI Class of 2000), will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The acclaimed documentary, MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED, screened at the Pan African Film Festival and the Slamdance Film Festival. Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, the film’s post-production team includes Ziyang Guo, Ji Ye Won, Praboo Arivananthan and Ivanka Lawrence (all AFI Class of 2023), alongside AFI Conservatory Editing Discipline Head Robert Ivison, ACE, and Editing Faculty Jeremy Grody.
Submissions for the inaugural Los Feliz Film Fest, a shorts film festival organized by AFI Conservatory Alum Vuk Mitrovic (AFI Class of 2012), are now open with a student discount submission option, providing a 50% discount. The regular deadline is March 15. To learn more, visit the website.
OTHER NEWS
Legendary filmmaker David Lynch (AFI Class of 1970) was honored by New York’s Metrograph Theater, which hosted an all-day marathon tribute on February 19 with Lynch’s longtime cinematographer and fellow AFI Conservatory Alum Frederick Elmes (AFI Class of 1972) in attendance.