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#AFI, American Film Institute, DWW, television

AFI ANNOUNCES 2025-2026 CANVA FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

AFI ANNOUNCES 2025-2026 CANVA FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

Scholarship Program Extends AFI’s Partnership With Canva

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA, August 28, 2025 – Today, the American Film Institute (AFI) announced the recipients of the 2025-2026 Canva Fellowship at the AFI Conservatory. This marks the third year of Canva partnering with AFI to further their shared mission of educating and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers. The scholarship supports one Fellow from each of the six disciplines at the AFI Conservatory: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.

The recipients of The Canva Fellowship for 2025-2026 are AFI First Year Fellows are Maghsoud Eghrari (Screenwriting), Brianna Kolybaba (Production Design), Mahsati Moorhead (Cinematography), Zhizong Qu (Editing), Aemilia Scott (Directing) and Allisa Tsukimori (Producing).

 

The Fellows will start their Master of Fine Arts filmmaking program at the AFI Conservatory on the AFI Campus in Los Angeles this August. Over the course of their two-year AFI Conservatory MFA program, each Fellow will receive a $40,000 scholarship, with a total of $240,000 awarded to the six recipients.

Susan Ruskin, Dean, AFI Conservatory/Executive Vice President, American Film Institute

“At the AFI Conservatory, we’re committed to bringing emerging filmmakers together through learning the craft of storytelling,” said Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory. “For the third consecutive year, we’re proud to partner with Canva to help our Fellows amplify their voices as they grow into leaders in their creative communities and bring a wide range of perspectives to audiences around the world.”

 

The second class of The Canva Fellowship at the AFI Conservatory recently shared their thoughts after completing their first year of their education at AFI.

 

 

 

Kate Marsden, Global Head of Brand Partnerships and Design School at Canva

“We’re incredibly proud to mark our third year of partnership with AFI, continuing our support for this vital fellowship. At Canva, we strongly believe in empowering the next generation of visual storytellers, and it’s truly inspiring to see these emerging creators flourish and bring their unique visions to life through this program,” said Kate Marsden, Global Head of Brand Partnerships and Design School at Canva. ”

 

About the 2025-2026 Recipients

 

Maghsoud “Hami” Eghrari – Screenwriting Fellow

Maghsoud “Hami” Eghrari moved to the U.S. from Iran in 2017 and recently graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas where he earned a BS in Healthcare Studies. Driven by a passion for storytelling, he pivoted to filmmaking. Since 2022, he has co-directed large-scale theatrical productions, A NEW DRESS FOR MONA and THE KINGFISHER’S WING. His work in coordinating intensive community-building programs in underserved Dallas neighborhoods inspired him to write “Even Birds Have a Nest,” his fiction work published in “The Southern Quill” in 2023. In 2024, Eghrari created the short films WRONG WHITE and BLIND SPOT, marking his filmmaking debut.

Brianna Kolybaba – Production Design Fellow

Brianna Kolybaba is a Canadian-Ukrainian film, theater, and opera designer. She brings her passion for world-building through design. She has a BFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta. She was a contributor of Prague Quadrennial Performance Design and Space conference in 2019 and 2023. Kolybaba won the Outstanding Production Design Award at FAVA Fest in 2024 for her work on the short NIGIQTUQ ᓂᒋᖅᑐᖅ. Her credits include BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND, THE LAND OF NOD, UNSPEAKABLE, and THE MURDER OF JONBENET RAMSEY.

Zhizong “Jason” Qu – Editing Fellow

Zhizong “Jason” Qu is a recent graduate of SCAD, with a BFA in Film and TV and a minor in Sound Editing. Qu is interested in editing narratives and trailers while also having a passion for production audio. He will often do both production audio and editing on the same project to get the best audio and workflow. Qu is currently editing the feature film, SECRETS OF SAVANNAH.

Aemilia Scott – Directing Fellow

Aemilia Scott graduated from Columbia University with a degree in History. Before directing and writing she worked as an actor in TV, Film and at Second City Chicago. Her most recent short film, HELP ME UNDERSTAND, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her first short film, BEST IF USED BY, premiered at Clermont-Ferrand and won a BAFTA LA Award at Aspen Shortsfest. Her feature screenplay,”Three Hours,” was a semifinalist for the Academy Nicholl Screenwriter’s prize and won the Blacklist/Cassian Elwes Screenwriter’s Fellowship. Scott’s feature screenplay, “Donna,” was a finalist at the Austin Screenwriter’s Competition.

Mahsati Moorhead – Cinematography Fellow

Mahsati Moorhead is a graduate of Spelman College with a BA in Photography and Cultural Anthropology. She studied in Paris and London assisting cinematographer Bradford Young, ASC, with film installations and Tribe 7 archives. She interned at TRIBE7 London, worked with Rap Research Lab and supported Simone Leigh’s “Loophole of Retreat” at the Venice Biennale. Moorhead’s film AUSPICIOUS RETURN screened at BlackStar Film Festival and Maryland Film Festival and is featured in programs at Georgetown University and Duke Ellington School. She has worked in the camera and art departments on SPACE JAM, REALLY LOVE, AS TOLD TO G/D THYSELF, THE KING & AND THE VIKING, and the Telfar brand.

Allisa Tsukimori – Producing Fellow

Allisa Tsukimori is an Australian Japanese producer based in Queensland, Australia. She has produced the feature film THE AEGEAN as well as PLANTED, an eight-episode web series. Outside of her work in film, Tsukimori has earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLBHons) from Queensland University of Technology and has built a legal career focused on employment and discrimination law working in the not-for-profit space.

 

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked the #1 film school in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, X.com/AmericanFilm, TikTok.com/@americanfilminstitute and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

 

About the AFI Conservatory

The AFI Conservatory opened its doors in 1969 to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the Conservatory offers a two-year MFA degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. In a collaborative production environment, AFI Fellows learn to master the art of storytelling, collectively creating up to 175 films a year. Fellows actively participate in the entire life cycle of a film, from development through production and exhibition.

 

Alumni of this elite program, ranging from modern masters to bold new voices defining the state of the art form, include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Aster, Deniese Davis, Sam Esmail, Brad Falchuk, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Liz Hannah, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas, Polly Morgan, Rachel Morrison and Wally Pfister, among others.

 

About Canva
Launched in 2013, Canva is the world’s leading all-in-one platform for visual communication and collaboration. Built to empower everyone to design, the company serves the creative and design needs of enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries worldwide. Whether you’re a novice taking your first steps in design, or a creative professional seeking powerful tools, Canva ensures users have what they need to transform an idea into something beautiful. Underpinned by the world’s most comprehensive library of designer-made content, Canva is powered by a suite of products and proprietary AI tools which elevate how individuals and teams create, collaborate, and communicate with ease.

 

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked as one of the top film schools in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST Presented by Canva and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at elevating emerging storytellers and technology, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, X.com/AmericanFilm, TikTok.com/@americanfilminstitute and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

 

About the AFI Conservatory

The AFI Conservatory opened its doors in 1969 to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the Conservatory offers a two-year MFA degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. In a collaborative production environment, AFI Fellows learn to master the art of storytelling, collectively creating up to 175 films a year. Fellows actively participate in the entire life cycle of a film, from development through production and exhibition.

 

Alumni of this elite program, ranging from modern masters to bold new voices defining the state of the art form, include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Aster, Deniese Davis, Sam Esmail, Brad Falchuk, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Liz Hannah, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas, Polly Morgan, Rachel Morrison and Wally Pfister, among others.

 

Press contact: American Film Institute

Shari Mesulam, Shari@themesulamgroup.com

#AFI, #AFIFEST, American Film Institute, television

SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE

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STARRING JEREMY ALLEN WHITE

TO OPEN AFI FEST 2025 PRESENTED BY CANVA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Los Angeles, CA, August 21, 2025 — Today, the American Film Institute (AFI) announced that 20th Century Studios’ SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE, written for the screen and directed by Scott Cooper, will open the 39th edition of AFI FEST presented by Canva on Wednesday, October 22.

Jeremy Allen White stars as Bruce Springsteen in the film, which traces the musician in 1981 and 1982 on the cusp of global superstardom as he records his landmark album “Nebraska” and struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past.

“AFI FEST is the stage and the screens where the world’s stories come together in Hollywood,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “To open with SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE honors the global impact of an American icon and the true artistry it takes to tell his tale.”

Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO

“It’s a true honor to open AFI FEST with SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE. AFI has always championed bold, meaningful storytelling, and I’m grateful to be part of that tradition. While Bruce’s roots will forever be in New Jersey, Los Angeles played a profound role in shaping his artistic voice. I want to thank Bob Gazzale and everyone at AFI for this extraordinary privilege,” said Scott Cooper.

About the Film

SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 “Nebraska” album when he was a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom, struggling to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past. Recorded on a 4-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works—a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe. Starring Jeremy Allen White as the Boss, the film is written for the screen and directed by Scott Cooper, based on the book “Deliver Me from Nowhere” by Warren Zanes. The film also features Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s long-time confidant and manager, Jon Landau; Paul Walter Hauser as guitar tech Mike Batlan; Stephen Graham as Springsteen’s father, Doug; Odessa Young as love interest, Faye; Gaby Hoffman as Springsteen’s mom, Adele; Marc Maron as Chuck Plotkin and David Krumholtz as Columbia executive, Al Teller. The film is produced by Cooper, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson, and Scott Stuber. Tracey Landon, Jon Vein, and Zanes executive produce. The film will be released in theaters on October 24, 2025.

The 39th edition of the Institute’s annual film festival will take place October 22–26 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood and feature a curated selection of Red Carpet Premiere screenings, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films. 


Passes to AFI FEST 2025 are now available for purchase online at FEST.AFI.com. Festivalgoers have the opportunity to purchase a Star Pass or upgrade to a Patron Pass.

The full festival lineup will be unveiled on September 30. Individual tickets will be available on October 6. 

AFI FEST is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. AFI FEST is also a qualifying festival for consideration for the British Short Film categories of both the BAFTA Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA). 

AFI is a nonprofit, donor-powered organization. Join AFI’s Premiere Circle to support the American Film Institute and enjoy access to exclusive one-of-a-kind opportunities at AFI events, including AFI FEST. To learn more, email Advancement@AFI.com.

Canva, the all-in-one visual communication and collaboration platform, returns as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AFI FEST 2025. Designed to empower entertainment professionals to visualize their ideas into impactful film and TV projects, Canva will be integrated throughout AFI FEST including hosting industry networking events, hands-on training workshops for filmmakers, and powering the festival’s digital and printed materials. Entertainment professionals can explore resources to pitch projects, plan shoots, and bring creative visions to life at canva.com/entertainment.  

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked as one of the top film schools in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.comand follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, X.com/AmericanFilm, TikTok.com/@americanfilminstitute and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

 

About AFI FEST
Now in its 39th year, AFI FEST is a world-class event, showcasing the best films from across the globe. This year’s edition takes place in Los Angeles from October 22-26, 2025. With an innovative slate of programming, the five-day festival presents screenings, panels and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new cinematic voices. AFI FEST includes high-profile films with Q&As featuring the films’ cast and crew and a robust lineup of fiction and nonfiction features and shorts, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for movie fans. Additional information is available at FEST.AFI.com. Connect with AFI’s film festival at Facebook.com/AFIFEST, Twitter.com/AFIFEST, Instagram/AmericanFilmInstitute, TikTok/@AmericanFilmInstitute and YouTube.com/AFI.

 

About Canva
Launched in 2013, Canva is the world’s leading all-in-one platform for visual communication and collaboration. Built to empower everyone to design, the company serves the creative and design needs of enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries worldwide. Whether you’re a novice taking your first steps in design, or a creative professional seeking powerful tools, Canva ensures users have what they need to transform an idea into something beautiful. Underpinned by the world’s most comprehensive library of designer-made content, Canva is powered by a suite of products and proprietary AI tools which elevate how individuals and teams create, collaborate, and communicate with ease.

 

Press contact:

American Film Institute: Shari Mesulam, shari@themesulamgroup.com

television

TCM’s Summer Under the Stars Returns This August

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

TCM’s ultimate movie star showcase, Summer Under the Stars, returns this August  paying tribute to 31 stars over 31 days, including 8 star newcomers to the franchise.

Check out this year’s trailer. Then, read on.

 

After partaking in this year’s TCM 31 Days of Oscar, the juices are flowing for the TCM 2025 Summer Under The Stars as I anticipate more films helping to define our culture. And, in my opinion, what makes TCM stand out are the nuanced film star introductions. The stars , the definitive hallmark of classic film, propelled the U.S. film industry into a global force  (Warner Bros. Global Entertainment) via the studio system.

 

Larry Gleeson, left, with Hollywood starlet, Angie Dickinson. (Photo credit: HollywoodGlee)

 

Personally, TCM film programs provide insight into the emergence and subsequent changes to  filmmaking, and the mirroring effect as films helps define culture while culture is reflected in film in the same vein as a snapshot photograph captures a moment in time. While film is a business it is also an art form paying homage to fashion, personalities, social commentary and ultimately, a driver of conversation and debate. So, I encourage moviegoers, film lovers, and cinephiles of all ages to tune in and partake in the 2025 TCM Summer Under the Stars. You’ll be glad you did! Check out the schedule below…

SUMMER UNDER THE STARS 2025 Full Schedule Click Here

 

Press Contact:
Elina Novik
Elina.Novik@wbd.com

 

television

Echo Valley – An Apple Original Film

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

In the edge-of-your-seat thriller “Echo Valley,” Kate (Oscar winner Julianne Moore) is a mother struggling to make peace with her troubled daughter Claire (multi-Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney) — a situation that becomes even more perilous when Claire shows up on Kate’s doorstep, hysterical and covered in someone else’s blood. As Kate pieces together the shocking truth of what happened, she learns just how far a mother will go to try to save her child in this gripping tale of love, sacrifice and survival from BAFTA-winning director Michael Pearce and Emmy-nominated writer Brad Ingelsby.

Only for the Brave of Heart.

 

This has all the makings for a deliciously challenging thriller!

 

 

 

Set to premiere June 13th on Apple TV!

 

#AFI, #AFIDOCS, #AFIFEST, AFI DWW+, AFI Life Achievement Award, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute, DWW, TCL Chinese Theatre, television

Francis Ford Coppola Honored at 50th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA HONORED

AT 50TH AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GALA TRIBUTE

 

Francis Ford Coppola

 

Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, Spike Lee, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino including Family Members Gia Coppola and Roman Coppola Celebrated His Legacy

Special to Premiere on TNT on June 18 at 10:00 pm ET/PT

 Gala Raises Over $2.5 Million to Support
AFI’s Education Programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA, April 26, 2025 – The American Film Institute (AFI) presented the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola on Saturday, April 26, at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, surrounded by icons in the entertainment community. The televised special, THE AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, will premiere on TNT on June 18 at 10:00 pm ET/PT, with an encore airing on TCM on July 31 at 8:00 pm ET/PT. This marks the 10th year the Emmy®-winning AFI Life Achievement Award special.

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: (L-R) George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg attend the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Francis Ford Coppola at Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for AFI)

The evening began with welcome remarks from Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO, and included tributes to Coppola’s illustrious career and his influence on filmmaking from Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio and Al Pacino, plus family members Gia Coppola and Roman Coppola and a performance by Josh Groban of “Brucia La Terra” from THE GODFATHER, CODA: THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE. Also included in the show were video clips of an exclusive interview, conducted by his daughter, Oscar®-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola.

 

 

In presenting the award, Steven Spielberg, recipient of the 23rd AFI Life Achievement Award said, “you have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film” and George Lucas, recipient of the 33rd AFI Life Achievement Award, commented, “we hoped to beat the system, and we did. We had no rules. We wrote the rules with you holding the pen. Thank you for creating an era of filmmakers that loved the movies.” Coppola accepted the award to a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, he said, “all the beautiful faces are welcoming me back because I am and will always be nothing more than one of you.”

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: Francis Ford Coppola holds the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award onstage at the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Francis Ford Coppola at Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for AFI)

 

The event also included a special remembrance of David Lynch (AFI Class of 1970) – who passed away in January of this year, and who had been the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal inaugural recipient in 1991. The medal is awarded to an Alum of either the AFI Conservatory or AFI DWW+, who best embodies the qualities of Schaffner: talent, taste, dedication and commitment to quality filmmaking.

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: (L-R) Steven Spielberg, Bob Gazzale, CEO, American Film Institute, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas attend the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Francis Ford Coppola at Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for AFI)

 

The event concluded with attendees receiving an exclusive AFI commemorative tribute book about Coppola’s career. Guests were also introduced to the new online tribute site chronicling Coppola’s life and career at http://AFI.com/coppola.

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: Gia Coppola attends the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Francis Ford Coppola at Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for AFI)

 

Over $2.5 million raised at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala will support educational programs at the American Film Institute, a nonprofit organization. To donate to AFI, visit AFI.com/support.

The AFI Life Achievement Award, established by the AFI Board of Trustees in 1973, is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees: “The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.”

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: Diane Lane speaks onstage at the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Francis Ford Coppola at Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for AFI)

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 26: Adam Driver speaks onstage during the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Francis Ford Coppola at Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for AFI)

 

GALLERY PHOTOS

 

 

The official sponsor of the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala dinner was Canva, the all-in-one visual communication platform. The official water sponsor was FIJI Water.

AFI Life Achievement Award Recipients

1973   John Ford

1974   James Cagney

1975   Orson Welles

1976   William Wyler

1977   Bette Davis

1978   Henry Fonda

1979   Alfred Hitchcock

1980   James Stewart

1981   Fred Astaire

1982   Frank Capra

1983   John Huston

1984   Lillian Gish

1985   Gene Kelly

1986   Billy Wilder

1987   Barbara Stanwyck

1988   Jack Lemmon

1989   Gregory Peck

1990   David Lean

1991   Kirk Douglas

1992   Sidney Poitier

1993   Elizabeth Taylor

1994   Jack Nicholson

1995   Steven Spielberg

1996   Clint Eastwood

1997   Martin Scorsese

1998   Robert Wise

1999   Dustin Hoffman

2000   Harrison Ford

2001   Barbra Streisand

2002   Tom Hanks

2003   Robert De Niro

2004   Meryl Streep

2005   George Lucas

2006   Sean Connery

2007   Al Pacino

2008   Warren Beatty

2009   Michael Douglas

2010   Mike Nichols

2011   Morgan Freeman

2012   Shirley MacLaine

2013   Mel Brooks

2014   Jane Fonda

2015   Steve Martin

2016   John Williams

2017   Diane Keaton

2018   George Clooney

2019   Denzel Washington

2022   Julie Andrews

2024   Nicole Kidman

Learn more at AFI.com.

 

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked as one of the top film schools in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST Presented by Canva and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at elevating emerging storytellers and technology, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow AFI on social media at:

Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, X.com/AmericanFilm, TikTok.com/@americanfilminstitute and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute

 

About TNT

TNT, a Warner Bros. Discovery brand, is watched by more people than any other cable network and known for big, lean-forward television that takes viewers on a thrill ride of electrifying stories, dynamic characters and premium events. TNT is home to some of television’s most popular sports franchises and scripted originals including “The Librarians: The Next Chapter.” TNT also presents primetime specials and sports coverage, including the NHL, NBA and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships. Website:www.tntdrama.com

 

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Turner Classic Movies(TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents classic films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting “Where Then Meets Now.” TCM features insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. With three decades as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed series like The Essentials and Reframed along with annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also directly connects with movie fans through popular events such as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise. In addition, TCM produces the wildly successful podcast “The Plot Thickens.” TCM hosts a wealth of material online attcm.comand through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a classic movie experience on the TCM hub on Max.

 

Press contact:

American Film Institute

Shari Mesulam, Shari@themesulamgroup.com

 

 

Robert Osborne Award, TCL Chinese Theatre, TCM Classic Film Festival, television

More Exciting News From 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

2025 TCM Classic Film Festival Reveals Additional Star-Studded Guests: Michael Mann, Rob Reiner, Kathy Bates, Aaron Sorkin and More to Attend

New York, NY – April 3, 2025 – Turner Classic Movies (TCM) today announced additional talent and programming for this year’s 16th annual TCM Classic Film Festival running April 24 – 27, 2025 in Hollywood, including a Closing Night 30th anniversary special screening of 1995’s epic crime drama Heat, in conversation with director Michael Mann. In addition to previously announced titles, the festival line-up will also include:

  • Director Rob Reiner in conversation with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin to introduce a 30th anniversary of The American President (1995)
  • Misery (1990) with star Kathy Bates and Rob Reiner
  • Keir Dullea in attendance to present 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
  • Director Alexander Payne will introduce Ben Hur (1959)
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) with star Barry Bostwick
  • Blade Runner (1982) with star Sean Young
  • Danny Huston will attend to present Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)
  • Paul Schrader will join the festival to introduce Hud (1963)
  • Sound effects artist Ben Burtt and visual effects artist Craig Barron will return to the festival with a special presentation of Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) with a guest appearance by star Eric Braedon.

 

Ben Burtt on the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival red carpet (Photo by L. Gleeson)

 

For the first time since the 1950s, the TCM Classic Film Festival, in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, will host screenings of VistaVision films. Unlike standard 35mm film, which runs vertically through the camera, VistaVision shoots the negative horizontally, exposing the image across two 35mm frames. Using VistaVision projectors specifically installed for the festival, TCM will showcase two rare VistaVision prints: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) and We’re No Angels (1955) and will feature this year’s Academy-award winning cinematographer Lol Crawley. These screenings present an exceptionally rare opportunity to see VistaVision as it was meant to be experienced: on the big screen, in stunning clarity and with Perspecta audio.

The festival will also be honoring the 90th anniversary of the British Film Institute’s National Archive, one of the most important film and TV collections in the world. Titles presented by the BFI in this celebration include Blithe Spirit (with an introduction from Christine Ebersole), Edge of the City, Mildred Pierce (a rare original 1945 nitrate release print), the premiere of new 35mm prints of To Be or Not To Be and The Private Life of Henry VIII (with an introduction by BFI Head of Conservation Kieron Webb), plus Jaws (a pristine original 1975 Technicolor dye-transfer British release print, with a special appearance by Lorraine Gary.) The treasures in the BFI National Archive’s will also be showcased in a special in conversation event as part of Club TCM, titled Across the Pond: Sights & Sounds of the British Film Institute to dive into the BFI’s archive with their CEO, Ben Roberts.

Not to be missed Club TCM Presentations will include:

Conversation with Michael Schultz
The TCM Classic Film Festival is proud to pay tribute to the work of prolific and award-winning director and producer Michael Schultz. A veteran of stage, film and television, Schultz has created memorable works for decades, working longer than any other African-American director. From films like Cooley High (1975) and the Cannes award-winning CAR WASH (1976) to television, from Starsky and Hutch and The Rockford Files to Ally McBeal and Black-ish, his talents have shone in multiple productions. Schultz also has an eye for new talent, casting Al Pacino in his first Broadway play, Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?, winning the actor a Tony Award, and also cast Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson in their first feature films. Join TCM for an in-depth conversation with Michael Schultz about his remarkable career and life.

The TCM Classic Film Festival, April 24-27, 2025, in Hollywood California,  has selected Michael Schultz as this year’s honoree.

Fantastic Footage and Where to Find It: Surprise and Delights from the
World’s Film Archives
“Just when I thought I’d seen it all…”  That familiar phrase might come to mind in this one-of-a-kind presentation. Among the millions of film and video works collected within the world’s archives, there exists an unseen tapestry of remarkable, astonishing and often unseen gems found on a multitude of sources—film and video formats of all shapes and sizes. From film fragments, blooper reels and outtakes, home movies, extraordinary commercials, even local news footage, and some things that just defy explanation, this curated presentation will reveal curious and eclectic wonders tucked away within the globe’s vast archival holdings.
In Attendance: Brittan Dunham and Ashley Swinnerton

From Here to Eternity: A Visit to the Final Resting Places of Hollywood’s Legends
Movies, by their nature, are intangible and ghostly projections conjured out of roughly equal portions of light and personality. So, it’s fitting that our favorite stars usually leave us with very little physical evidence of their existence – beyond their final resting places that is. Join renowned film historians and celebrity-cemetery sleuths Karie Bible and Steven Bingen for this all-access, whirlwind virtual tour of Hollywood’s most famous celebrity gravesites, many of which are as mysterious, inspirational, and eccentric as the legends they commemorate. Filled with personal stories, historic and contemporary photos and explicit directions about how you can find and visit scores of celebrity graves yourself, this reverent/irreverent presentation is a must for anyone interested in connecting the dots, and the last dot in particular, behind the lives of those fascinating faces on the screen.
In attendance: Karie Bible, Steven Bingen.

The full 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival Programming Schedule of films, participating talent, special talks and presentations are now available. For all information, please visit http://tcm.com/festival.

About 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival
Movie lovers from around the globe will descend upon Hollywood for the 16th edition of the TCM Classic Film Festival, set to take place Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, April 27, 2025. Over four packed days and nights, attendees will be treated to an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions, special events, and more.

Ben Mankiewicz attends the 40th Anniversary Screening of E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982) at the TCL Chinese Theatre during Opening Night of the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival.

TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz will serve as official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival, alongside Jacqueline Stewart, Dave Karger, Alicia Malone, and Eddie Muller.

The festival’s official hotel and central gathering point will be The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Academy Awards® ceremony. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will also offer special rates for Festival attendees. Screenings and events during the festival will be held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX®, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre, and a return to the historic El Capitan Theatre.

This year’s festival theme is “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film.For the latest news and information, follow on social media at #TCMFF.

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)  
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents classic films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting “Where Then Meets Now.” TCM features insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. With three decades as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed series like The Essentials and Reframed along with annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also directly connects with movie fans through popular events such as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise. In addition, TCM produces the wildly successful podcast “The Plot Thickens,” which has had more than 9 million downloads to date. TCM hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a classic movie experience on the TCM hub on Max.

Larry Gleeson attending his first TCM Classic Film Festival.

Academy Awards, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Oscar, television

See Why Conan O’Brien is returning to host the 2026 Oscars

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

THE OSCARS¨ – 97th Oscars¨ hosted by Conan OÕBrien. (Disney/Andrew Eccles)

 

HOST CONAN O’BRIEN AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS RAJ KAPOOR  AND KATY MULLAN ARE REUNITING FOR 98TH OSCARS

JEFF ROSS AND MIKE SWEENEY RETURN AS PRODUCERS

THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE MARCH 15, 2026, ON ABC

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – For a second consecutive year, Emmy® Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O’Brien will return to host the Oscars® broadcast, and Emmy Award-winning live television event producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan return as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced today. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a second time, and Sweeney will also serve as a writer. The 98th Oscars will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Emmy Award-winning live television event producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan return as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year. (Photo courtesy of The Academy)

 

“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars!” said Kramer and Yang. “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host – skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”

“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” said O’Brien.

“Conan delivered an unforgettable performance at ‘The Oscars,’ and we’re honored to have him and the producing team back next year,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. “Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance.”

“We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars,” said Kapoor and Mullan. “We can’t wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world.”

Hosted by O’Brien, the 97th Oscars, held earlier this month on March 2, delivered a five-year high in both total viewers (19.69 million) and adults 18-49 (4.54 rating) and ranked as the number one primetime entertainment telecast in both total viewers and adults for the 2024-2025 season. The 97th Oscars earned 104.2 million total social interactions, ranking as the number one most social TV program season-to-date, outperforming both “The Grammy Awards” (102.2 million interactions) and “The Super Bowl” (62.4 million) this season for the first time on record.

O’Brien is best known for hosting the late-night talk shows “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Conan.” Before his more than two-decade hosting career, he served as a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.” Currently, O’Brien hosts the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast, MAX travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” and has a supporting role in the feature film “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” He has won five Primetime Emmys® and earned 31 nominations for his work.

Kapoor has earned eight Emmy Award nominations and won Emmys for his work on the 96th Oscars and for executive producing the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) “Adele: One Night Only.” In addition to several Oscars shows, Kapoor’s credits include “The Grammy Awards®,” “ACM Awards,” “Latin Grammys,” “The Emmy Awards,” “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas,” “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter” and “The Paris Olympics LA28 Handover Closing Ceremony.”

Mullan is an executive producer, showrunner and partner of the global live event production company Done + Dusted. Her work in live entertainment ranges from producing the London Olympics opening and closing ceremonies to “The Little Mermaid Live!.” She won an Emmy for the 96th Oscars, and her other credits include “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas,” “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” “Step Into…The Movies,” several Christmas and New Year’s Eve television specials and the “Disney Family Singalong” franchise.

Ross is a producer whose credits include “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” “Conan Without Borders,” “Conan,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Kids in the Hall.”  He has won a Primetime Emmy and earned 15 nominations for his work.

Sweeney is a producer, writer and director whose credits include “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” “Conan,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” He has won three Primetime Emmys and earned 22 nominations for his work.

The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of more than 10,500 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars®. With the largest film-related collection in the world, the Academy is a leader in the fields of conservation, preservation and exhibition of film-related objects and materials. Through its Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Academy presents powerful exhibitions, screenings and programs about cinema’s past, present, and future. The Academy also inspires young artists and creates opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage with the film world. Across all initiatives, the Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films.

 

 

 

television

RESISTANCE OF VISION touring political film festival

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

San Francisco IndieFest Announces

Launch of RESISTANCE OF VISION

 

Politically-focused film festival will tour the United States

throughout 2025-2026, beginning with screening events

in San Francisco, Boston, and Wichita

Following a couple months of unprecedented political upheaval, filmmakers and the film industry are still scrambling to find footing to address or even oppose what is happening in this country. The RESISTANCE OF VISION touring film festival is the first concrete thing I’ve seen in the film festival world. The first “shot across the bow” may be coming courtesy of San Francisco IndieFest. The stalwart Bay Area film festival has launched a politically-focused touring film festival Resistance of Vision designed and set to screen in cities across the U.S. this year and next.

The debut will be comprised of four short film programs screening in Boston, Wichita, and San Francisco in May. Each screening event will discussions and panels highlighting community organizing efforts in the city hosting the film festival.

The new film festival is the brainchild of San Francisco IndieFest founder/director Jeff Ross, with veteran film curator, documentarian, and cinema exhibition consultant Anna Feder serving as the Director of Programming. The Resistance of Vision film festival will be available for booking for groups seeking to hold spaces for dialogue, organizing, and action within their communities. Partnerships with national organizations will support each program to assist with resources, audience building, and calls to action. Participating filmmakers will receive screening fees for all bookings and presentations.

Regarding the inspiration for creating Resistance of Vision, Ross said, “Following the results of the last year’s election, I felt an urgent need to push back on the planned changes we are now seeing take place by the new regime in the best way I know how, through shared experiences and storytelling.  By experiencing the lives of others, we build empathy and are moved to action. According to the Washington Post’s famous slogan, ‘Democracy dies in darkness’, by exposing the stories of real people and their real lives, we make sure the keep the lights on important stories.”

Noted for her work with the successful and influential Bright Lights Cinema Series at Emerson College, Feder was a natural choice to take on the programming reins for Resistance of Vision. Feder said, “First and foremost, I am an activist. I am also a cultural worker who believes in the power of seeing our stories reflected back to us on screen and gathering in community. I see this touring film festival as a way to fight back against the forces of repression that have seeped into every corner of our lives. The antidote to despair is action. And the program that I will be putting together will have calls to action baked in.  As a queer Jewish woman, the call to Tikkun Olam (translates to “repairing the world”) is an obligation to engage in the work of envisioning and working toward a better world.”

Resistance of Vision will be committed to showcasing stories of resilience and the fight for liberation that are often excluded by corporate-controlled exhibition channels. Lively discussions following the screenings with filmmakers, film participants, activists & academics local to each community will be included after every program to allow audiences to dig deeper into the subjects and issues presented on screen.

The call for submissions began earlier this month with April 1st set as the deadline. Notifications will go out on April 13, programs will be offered VOD in each participating geographical area May 1-4, and the live presentations will take place on May 3rd and 4th in San Francisco, Wichita, and Boston. Additional screening dates and locations will be added throughout the U.S. as the tour is set to run through the beginning of 2026. In addition, there will a corresponding access to screenings online during each of in-person event.

The four short film program topics announced for the inaugural festival are Gender Justice, Environmental Justice, Racial Justice, and Labor and Housing Justice. Audience Awards and Jury Prizes will also be awarded to films/filmmakers in each of those categories.

Programs for the 2025-2026 Resistance of Vision Film Festival will include; OUR BODIES, OUR CHOICE (Gender Justice): a program dealing with bodily autonomy, including transgender and reproductive healthcare, and other issues affecting individuals based on sex or gender; THIS IS AN EMERGENCY (Environmental Justice): a program dealing with our relationship to the natural world and efforts to fight laws and institutions that fail to protect our environment and actively contribute to the worsening climate crisis; FIGHT THE POWER (Racial Justice): a program dealing with all forms of racial discrimination, including Indigenous communities around the globe and stories of individuals and organizations fighting for a more just and equitable world; and WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON? (Labor and Housing Justice): program dealing with labor concerns, including union organizing and mobilizing for a living wage and housing justice, and protecting the rights and dignity of the unhoused.

For more information go to: https://sfindie.com/festivals/resistance-of-vision-touring-film-festival/.

 

#TCM, #TCMFF, TCM Classic Film Festival, television

TCM to Honor Michelle Pfeiffer with Hand and Footprint Ceremony

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

TCM Pressroom Press Release

TCM to Honor Michelle Pfeiffer with Hand and Footprint Ceremony and Screening of The Fabulous Baker Boys at 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival

 

New York, NY – March 6, 2025. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has revealed that legendary actress Michelle Pfeiffer will be celebrated with a hand and footprint ceremony at the renowned TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Friday, April 25th as part of the 16th annual TCM Classic Film Festival. During the festival, Pfeiffer’s acclaimed performance in THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (1989) — for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe for Best Actress — will be showcased.

“There’s an undeniable quality to any part played by Michelle Pfeiffer,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM Primetime Anchor and Official Host of the TCM Classic Film Festival. “She blends — seemingly effortlessly (though it surely isn’t effortless) — elegance with depth, capturing the complexity in every character she plays. For example, take the two times she’s portrayed the wife or girlfriend of a criminal kingpin, opposite Al Pacino in Brian De Palma’s violent drama ‘Scarface,’ then leading the cast of Jonathan Demme’s romantic comedy ‘Married to the Mob.’  In ‘Scarface,’ she could’ve been nothing but an objectified prize to the two men in her life.

“Instead, she brought this steely toughness to the role, humanizing Elvira in unexpected ways. In ‘Married to the Mob,’ she took a similar character type, turned it entirely upside down and served as the film’s emotional anchor. After those two performances, there was little doubt a major talent was on the scene in Hollywood. And she’s made good on that promise over the last three-plus decades in film after film, including ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys,’ ‘Dangerous Liaisons,’ ‘Russia House,’ ‘Catwoman,’ ‘Hairspray,’ her critically acclaimed turn as Betty Ford in ‘The First Lady’, and as Bernie Madoff’s compellingly detached wife Ruth in the HBO movie ‘Wizard of Lies.’ No matter the character, Michelle Pfeiffer’s performances are consistently nuanced and convincingly authentic.”

This marks the 12th hand and footprint ceremony as part of the TCM Classic Film Festival. In 2011, Peter O’Toole was the honoree, followed by Kim Novak in 2012, Jane Fonda in 2013, Jerry Lewis in 2014, Christopher Plummer in 2015, Francis Ford Coppola in 2016, Carl and Rob Reiner in 2017, Cicely Tyson in 2018, Billy Crystal in 2019, Lily Tomlin in 2022 and Jodie Foster in 2024.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: <> attends the Hand and Footprint Ceremony honoring Lily Tomlin during the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 22, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for TCM)

http://For more information, please visit http://tcm.com/festival.

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents classic films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting “Where Then Meets Now.” TCM features insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. With three decades as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed series like The Essentials and Reframed along with annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar® and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also directly connects with movie fans through popular events such as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise. In addition, TCM produces the wildly successful podcast “The Plot Thickens,” which has had more than 9 million downloads to date. TCM hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a classic movie experience on the TCM hub on Max.

 

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