News
AFI Alumni Projects Spotlighted At 25th Tribeca Film Festival
The 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, which runs from June 4–15, 2026, has unveiled its official lineup, and AFI graduates are once again in the spotlight. Join us in celebrating the bold new work from AFI storytellers at this year’s festival that reflects the creativity, range and vision of AFI Conservatory Alumni.
AFI Alumni Meetup At Cannes 2026
AFI Alumni from around the world gathered at the legendary Le Petit Majestic during the Festival de Cannes to reconnect over drinks, lively conversation and a shared passion for cinema. The annual meetup brought together storytellers, collaborators and friends in one of the festival’s most iconic gathering spots.
AFI Alumni Set To Premiere New Films At Cannes
The 79th Cannes Film Festival, running May 12–23, has officially unveiled its full lineup and AFI is proud to celebrate the Alumni whose work will be showcased at this year’s prestigious festival. Explore the full list of AFI Alumni bringing their films to the Croisette.
AFI Alumni Win At The Academy Awards
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the AFI Conservatory community at this year’s Academy Awards®! Congratulations to Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009), winner of the Academy Award® for Best Cinematography for SINNERS.
We also celebrate three Oscar® wins for films executive produced by Kim Magnusson (AFI Class of 1991): MR NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN (Best Documentary Feature), ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS (Best Documentary Short Film), which was also executive produced by Eric Nichols (AFI Class of 2013) and TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA (Best Live Action Short Film).
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
CAN’T LOOK AWAY: THE CASE AGAINST SOCIAL MEDIA, featuring the work of AFI Cinematography Fellow Nasreen Alkhateeb, won the 2026 News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary.
The superhero series SPIDER-NOIR is now streaming on Prime Video, featuring work by several AFI Alumni, including Gala Goliani (AFI Class of 2013), Associate Producer; Peter Deming (AFI Class of 1980), Cinematographer; and Tirsa Hackshaw (AFI Class of 1994), Editor. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgMbkitzhEM
Steven Spielberg’s DISCLOSURE DAY has been unveiled to members of the film press ahead of its June 12 release, with early reactions calling the sci-fi UFO-focused film “Spielberg’s best in 20 years.” The film was shot by cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (AFI Class of 1987) and co-edited by Sarah Broshar (AFI Class of 2005).
Samantha Mandich (AFI Class of 2025) and Rachel Goldberg (AFI DWW+ Class of 2010) are included in the second cohort of Proof of Concept, the accelerator program founded by Cate Blanchett, Coco Francini, and Dr. Stacy L. Smith and supported by Netflix, which champions women, trans and nonbinary filmmakers.
Jacob Forman (AFI Class of 2004) and Hayley Tibbenham (AFI Class of 2022) are among the writers on DUTTON RANCH, the YELLOWSTONE spinoff from creator, executive producer, and showrunner Chad C. Feehan (AFI Class of 2004), which has scored the biggest series launch in Paramount+ history with 12.9 million views.
Brad Ingelsby has penned a personal essay for the Los Angeles Times reflecting on faith, family and the real-life priests who inspired his crime drama TASK.
Lindsay Stidham (AFI Class of 2005), screenwriter of PUNK NEVER DIES, and Jhanvi Motla (AFI Class of 2017), screenwriter of THE MANAGER’S WIFE, are featured on the 2026 Wscripted Cannes Screenplay List, which highlights projects by female and non-binary filmmakers and screenwriters seeking producing and financing partners.
WITHDRAWAL, the indie feature shot by AFI Cinematography Fellow Emily Marquet, is currently on a nationwide touring road show following a successful festival run. The film will screen in Santa Ana on June 10 and in Los Angeles in July, with additional Q&As and events planned as part of the tour. Watch the trailer here: https://mubi.com/en/films/withdrawal-2025/trailer
LANDMAN director Stephen Kay (AFI Class of 1991) sat down with THR’s Executive Awards Editor Scott Feinberg to chat all about the Paramount+ series in a Directors in Focus conversation.
Dante Di Loreto (AFI Class of 1991) is executive producing the upcoming BAYWATCH reboot for Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, which has debuted its first teaser promo ahead of the series’ January 2027 premiere.
Rohit Relan (AFI Class of 2024) has been selected as the Graduate Narrative West Winner at the 31st Annual DGA Student Spotlight Awards for his AFI thesis film PATAKHA (FIRECRACKER). The ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 18 at the DGA Los Angeles Headquarters. Additional AFI Class of 2024 Alumni who worked on the film include producer Tiffany Wu, cinematographer Brooke Mueller, production designer Reem Al Shaini, editor Siddharth Lal and screenwriter Umut Ipek.
CAA’s 11th Moebius Film Showcase featured 10 short films by graduating storytellers from the 2026 student filmmaker class. The event took place earlier this week and features two films with work by AFI Class of 2025 Alums.
BEWARE THE WOLVES
-Alex Bush, Director, Screenwriter
-Annabel Newland, Screenwriter
-Ilias Kyriakidis, Producer
-Matthew “Rove” Roveto, Cinematographer
-Vaishnavi “Vaish” Upadhyay, Editor
CLUB RATS
-Grace Francis Godvin, Director, Screenwriter
-Chenning Yang, Producer
-Jasper Khadjenouri, Cinematographer
-Daniel Elder, Editor