News
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AFI FRIDAY UPDATE
AFI announced the AFI AWARDS 2025 honorees. The recipients include 10 outstanding motion pictures and 10 outstanding television programs deemed culturally and artistically representative of this year’s most significant achievements in the art of the moving image. Congratulations to the AFI Conservatory Alumni whose projects are among this year’s celebrated selections.
AFI MOTION PICTURES OF THE YEAR
BUGONIA
-Ari Aster (AFI Class of 2010), Producer
HAMNET
-Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), Editor
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
-Michael Bauman (AFI Class of 1992), Cinematographer
SINNERS
-Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009), Cinematographer
AFI TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
ANDOR
– John Roesch (AFI Class of 1977), Foley Artist
DEATH BY LIGHTNING
-Anna J. Hauger (AFI Class of 2009), Editor
THE PITT
-Uta Briesewitz (AFI Class of 1994), Director
-Johanna Coelho (AFI Class of 2013), Cinematographer
PLUR1BUS
-Gandja Monteiro (DWW Class of 2018), Director
-Vera Blasi (AFI Class of 1991), Executive Story Editor, Screenwriter
SEVERANCE
-Uta Briesewitz (AFI Class of 1994), Director
-Wei-Ning Yu (AFI Class of 2010), Screenwriter
TASK
-Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005), Creator, Executive Producer, Screenwriter
-Keith Cunningham (AFI Class of 1990), Production Designer
AFI Alum Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Class of 2009) was named to TheWrap’s list of 51 women who made a difference in 2025. The cinematographer also won the New York Film Critics Award for Cinematography for her work on SINNERS, with Variety noting she could “make history as the first woman to win the Oscar® for cinematography.” In addition, the National Board of Review recognized her work on the film with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography. Arkapaw was also featured in an IndieWire interview this week, which describes SINNERS as “the most visually stunning film of the year.”
Former AFI Cinematography Faculty Member and AFI Alum Tal Lazar (Class of 2009) has a new book, “Cinematography Beyond Technique: A Story-First Approach to Moving Images,” now available for pre-order. The book’s perspective on visual storytelling reframes cinematography as a language driven by narrative rather than solely a technical craft.
Stanley Brooks (AFI Class of 1979) has released his latest directorial effort, TONI BRAXTON’S HE WASN’T MAN ENOUGH, now available for streaming on the Lifetime website and app. Check out the trailer here: https://play.mylifetime.com/movies/he-wasnt-man-enough/preview-he-wasnt-man-enough.
AFI Alum Omar Kamara (AFI Class of 2020, AFRICAN GIANTS, MASS AVE) is part of the inaugural cohort of Highways Lab fellows. Two organizations supporting emerging filmmakers—Rideback RISE and Highways Lab—have partnered with Adobe to launch career development programs. The initiatives include a $50,000 grant for short films and mentorship for bilingual mid-career editors.
Mattson Tomlin (AFI Class of 2014) will co-write the script for THE BATMAN 2 with filmmaker Matt Reeves. The film is set to see the return of Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Scarlett Johansson is in final negotiations to join the cast.
Louie Provost (AFI Class of 2006) and Peter Kang are overseeing Sony’s new adaptation of James Islington’s fantasy series “Hierarchy.” The acquisition comes as the second book, “The Strength of the Few,” tops the New York Times best-seller list.
Shortlists in 11 below-the-line categories have been announced for the 31st Critics Choice Awards and AFI Alumni are among the nominees. Each list—covering areas from Best Casting and Ensemble to Best Visual Effects—includes 12 achievements. Full nominations for will be announced on December 5.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
-Michael Bauman (AFI Class of 1992), Cinematographer
THE PLAGUE
-Steven M. Breckon (AFI Class of 2017), Cinematographer
SINNERS
-Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009), Cinematographer
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
NO OTHER CHOICE
-Ryu Seong-hie (AFI Class of 1998), Production Designer
BEST EDITING
HAMNET
-Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), Editor
The nominations for the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced, and several projects showcasing the work of AFI Alumni are among the contenders.
BEST FEATURE
THE PLAGUE
-Charlie Polinger (AFI Class of 2017), Director, Writer
-Lucy McKendrick (AFI Class of 2016), Producer
-Matthew Pancer (AFI Class of 2017), Producer
-Steven Breckon (AFI Class of 2017), Cinematographer
BEST FIRST FEATURE
EAST OF WALL
-Scott Frank (AFI Class of 1984), Executive Producer
-Austin Shelton (AFI Class of 2018), Cinematographer
-Zane Kalnina (AFI Class of 2020), Co-producer
LURKER
-Charlie McDowell (AFI Class of 2006), Producer
-David Kashevaroff (AFI Class of 2004), Editor
ONE OF THEM DAYS
-Deniese Davis (AFI Class of 2012), Producer
-Ava Berkofsky (AFI Class of 2013), Cinematographer
-Monique Dias (AFI Class of 2012), Production Designer
BEST DOCUMENTARY
COME SEE ME IN THE LIGHT
-Berenice Chavez (AFI Class of 2016), Editor
BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
FOREVER
-Chris Manley (AFI Class of 1994), Cinematographer
-Karoliina Tuovinen (AFI Class of 2007), Editor
-Naomi Sunrise Filoramo (AFI Class of 2008), Editor
-Angela Latimer (AFI Class of 2013), Editor