News
AFI Alumni Filmmakers at AFI FEST
Celebrate AFI Alumni at the 40th edition of AFI FEST presented by Canva! From World Cinema and Special Screenings to Luminaries, Documentary, Discovery and more, Alumni filmmakers will showcase their work on the big screen October 21–25 in Hollywood.
AFI Announces Industry Leaders As Mentors For Annual Writers’ Room Ready Program
AFI announced the AFI Conservatory Screenwriting Fellows selected for its annual Writers’ Room Ready program, along with their industry mentors. Congratulations to these AFI Conservatory Alumni from the Class of 2025: Nathan Bouton (“Black Tide”), mentored by Brad Ingelsby (AFI Class of 2005); Kirby Saxton (“Holy Water”), mentored by Peter Gould; Chri’Shawn Julius (“Pop Puss”), mentored by Patrik-Ian Polk; Edward Nenedzhyan (“The Optic”), mentored by Sev Ohanian; and Annabel Newland (“Glitter”), mentored by Sarah-Violet Bliss.
AFI Conservatory Applications Now Open
Good news to share with filmmakers in your network! Applications are now open for AFI Conservatory’s MFA programs in Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting for the 2027–28 academic year. If you know talented storytellers in your network who are ready to take the next step in their filmmaking journey, please encourage them to apply!
AFI Alum Jordan Betine’s Sketch Show Comes to Los Angeles
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.
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
Producer Michael McGuire (AFI Class of 2009) worked on Apple’s first immersive horror film REMNANTS, now available on Apple Vision Pro. The experience features 180-degree, 8K 3D video with Spatial Audio. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_5HZBhf1eU
Casey Stangl (AFI DWW Class of 2007) directs “Bobby Robotowitz,” an immersive play about a struggling novelist who finds an unlikely confidant in an AI chatbot.
Todd Banhazl (AFI Class of 2009) was interviewed by the MPA about his recent collaboration with Rachel Morrison (AFI Class of 2006) on their film LOVE OF YOUR LIFE: “It was a beautiful on-set experience; we were working in a safe, creative space.”
Qiuping Han (AFI Class of 2025) was selected for the Asian Producers Network, a six-day producer development workshop and guided mentorship program supporting the sustainable development of independent film producers. The program is part of SGIFF Pro at the 37th Singapore International Film Festival.
HBO renewed TRUE DETECTIVE for a fifth season, with Nicolas Cage and Antonio Banderas set to star. The late Steve Golin (AFI Class of 1981) is among the executive producers.
James Wilson (AFI Class of 1991) is a producer of NAZA, the documentary directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor about the Israeli military in Gaza. NEON has signed on to distribute the film.
Cory Michael Smith has joined Ari Aster’s (AFI Class of 2010) SCAPEGOAT, an upcoming thriller starring Scarlett Johansson. Aster wrote the screenplay, and A24 will distribute the film.
TING TING, a feature written and directed by Danting Chen (AFI Class of 2026), was selected to pitch at the Singapore International Film Festival’s Pitching Forum, where it will be presented to international co-producers and financiers.