News
AFI Announces 2026-2027 Canva Fellowship Recipients
Earlier this week, AFI announced the recipients of the 2026–2027 Canva Fellowship at the AFI Conservatory, who include Divli Bhat (Producing), Elizaveta Kurilova (Screenwriting), Lauren Moreno (Directing), Zoey Punteney (Production Design), Colin Pham (Cinematography) and Auberin Strickland (Editing). This marks the fourth year of Canva’s partnership with AFI to further its shared mission of educating and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.
AFI Conservatory Named One Of The Top Film Schools In The Nation
MovieMaker Magazine has named AFI Conservatory one of the top film schools in the U.S. and Canada. Beth de Araújo (AFI Class of 2013 & DWW Class of 2018) is featured on the cover of the issue, which highlights the Conservatory’s impact on the next generation of filmmakers. Her acclaimed film JOSEPHINE won both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and the Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. De Araújo says AFI shaped her fundamental approach to filmmaking — and three of her key JOSEPHINE collaborators, including producer Marina Stabile (AFI Class of 2009), editor Anisha Acharya (AFI Class of 2014), and reshoot cinematographer Ava Berkofsky (AFI Class of 2013), are AFI alumni as well.
AFI Alumni Attend 2026 Telluride Film Festival Filmlab
AFI is the educational partner to the Telluride Film Festival, which took place this Labor Day weekend. Eight AFI Conservatory graduates from the Class of 2026, including April Yang, Tommy McCafferty, Michelle Kahn Shwartz, Cherice Amour, Alejandro Maytorena Martinez, Jana Landon, Mateo Ferrada Rovira and S. S. Ayers, took part in the AFI Conservatory’s annual FilmLab, a program featuring screenings and conversations with master filmmakers and artists.
The AFI presence at Telluride extended beyond the FilmLab, with Alumni also showcasing their work throughout the festival. See the full list of Alumni projects at the four-day fest below.
AFI Remembers Seth Manheimer
We are saddened to share the passing of Seth Manheimer (AFI Class of 2005). A directing graduate of the AFI Conservatory, Manheimer built a career across film and television, with film credits including UNKNOWN (2006) and THE PROS AND CONS OF BREATHING (2006), while also founding Set and Flow, a yoga and fitness studio in Los Angeles. He will be greatly missed.
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 MUSICAL, the feature adaptation of a 2022 AFI Cycle film, premieres in theaters today. The film features several AFI Alumni, including director Giselle Bonilla (AFI Class of 2023), screenwriter and producer Alexander Heller (AFI Class of 2023), producer Jordan Backhus (AFI Class of 2020), producer Findlay Brown (AFI Class of 2023), executive producer Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004), cinematographer Tu Do (AFI Class of 2023), art director Alexa McWhorter (AFI Class of 2023) and editor Devin Dulany (AFI Class of 2023). Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXLNjIkropM
Joshua Giuliano (AFI Class of 2015) will write and direct the upcoming horror film OCCUPANT for Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, Focus Features, Divide/Conquer and Spooky Pictures.
The upcoming sports drama MR. IRRELEVANT: THE JOHN TUGGLE STORY, directed by Jonathan Levine (AFI Class of 2004), stars David Corenswet as the late New York Giants running back John Tuggle. Paramount and Skydance Sports recently released the trailer for the film, which is set to premiere on Christmas Day.
LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, the latest feature from Rachel Morrison (AFI Class of 2006), stars Margaret Qualley as a Boston nurse navigating the aftermath of her marriage. Featuring cinematography by Todd Banhazl (AFI Class of 2009), the film premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival earlier this week and will be released in theaters October 7 ahead of its Prime Video debut October 14
The documentary MANSFIELD 66/67, about the final two years of legendary actress Jayne Mansfield’s life, has been re-released on streaming platforms. P. David Ebersole (AFI Class of 1991) directed and produced the film through Ebersole Hughes Company.
WILDWOOD, the Opening Night film of AFI FEST presented by Canva, has released its final trailer ahead of its U.S. Premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday, October 21. The LAIKA Studios stop-motion fantasy features cinematography by Caleb Deschanel (AFI Class of 1969).
RESIDENT EVIL, with production design by Tom Hammock (AFI Class of 2004), arrives in theaters today. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Aiv1cqmH4w
Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009), Oscar®-winning cinematographer of SINNERS, will serve as a juror for the 11th edition of Tribeca and Chanel’s Through Her Lens Women’s Filmmaker Program. Halle Berry, Regina King and Meg Ryan are also among the jurors for the artist development initiative, taking place September 22–24 in New York.
Tarin Anderson (AFI Class of 2004) has been welcomed as a new member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). Anderson’s cinematography credits include the upcoming Peacock series DIG, as well as THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY, NCIS: TONY & ZIVA and BLINDSPOTTING.
Wara Pornkulwat (AFI Class of 2026) has been accepted as a member of the Thai Society of Cinematographers. Their cinematography credits span commercials and narrative projects, including “The Vow,” the fourth episode of the Netflix anthology series TERROR TUESDAY: EXTREME.