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Lucas, Spielberg will present AFI’s 50th Lifetime Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

 

GEORGE LUCAS AND STEVEN SPIELBERG TO PRESENT

50TH AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

Other participants include Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio, Al Pacino and members of the Coppola Family

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA – April 22, 2025 – The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg will present the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola. Gia Coppola, Roman Coppola, 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 will be among the guests and presenters. The Gala Tribute will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on April 26, 2025.

“There is only one Francis Ford Coppola,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “And it is AFI’s honor to gather the art and entertainment communities, along with his family, friends and colleagues to celebrate cinema – all of it – and the very best of it.”

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

The televised special, THE 50TH AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, will premiere on TNT with an encore airing on TCM. This marks the 10th year the Emmy®-winning AFI Life Achievement Award special will air on TNT. The air date will be announced soon.

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.”

Coppola’s THE GODFATHER, THE GODFATHER PART II and APOCALYPSE NOW are ranked among history’s greatest films in AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies list. He is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of our time; a six-time Academy Award®-winning (including the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award) director, writer and producer of such films as PATTON, THE GODFATHER TRILOGY, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, THE CONVERSATION, APOCALYPSE NOW, THE OUTSIDERS, BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA and his latest epic, MEGALOPOLIS.

As the co-founder of American Zoetrope with George Lucas, Coppola nourished the careers of talents such as Carroll Ballard, John Milius, Sofia Coppola, and actors Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Matt Dillon and Diane Lane. As a writer, director, producer and technological pioneer, he created a body of work that has helped shape contemporary American cinema. Coppola’s latest film MEGALOPOLIS is a Roman epic set in modern times with an all-star cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne and Aubrey Plaza. The film made its world premiere to a 10-minute standing ovation at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, and was released theatrically and in IMAX globally last fall.

The American Film Institute is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. All proceeds from the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala support AFI’s education and arts initiatives.

AFI Life Achievement Award Recipients

The 50th AFI Life Achievement Award Honoree joins an esteemed group of individuals who have been chosen for this distinguished honor since its inception.

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 AFI Life Achievement Award

The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Board of Trustees established the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1973. It 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.”

Most recently, AFI presented the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award to Nicole Kidman on Saturday, April 27, at a Gala Tribute in Hollywood. Lee Daniels, Ava DuVernay, Zac Efron, Cynthia Erivo, Morgan Freeman, Barry Jenkins, David E. Kelley, Joey King, Mimi Leder, Mike Myers, Edward James Olmos, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jane Seymour, Meryl Streep, Brian Tee, Miles Teller, Lulu Wang, Naomi Watts and more filled the Dolby Theatre to celebrate Kidman’s award-winning career and her indelible impact on the moving arts. The event also featured tributes honoring Kidman, including speeches from Zoe Saldaña, Aaron Sorkin, Keith Urban, Reese Witherspoon, among others and taped messages from Hugh Jackman, Jane Campion, Jimmy Fallon, Cate Blanchett, George Miller, Baz Luhrmann and Russell Crowe.

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 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 at tcm.com and 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/.

 

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

South Korean Film Director Bong Joon Ho has released Mickey 17, in theatres now. In addition, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is opening an exhibition March 23rd, 2025, Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho, examining the genre-bending works of Bong and its direct international impact on the growth of South Korean cinema. Bong’s first directorial debut was in 2000 with Barking Dogs Never Bite. Since then, Bong’s films have contributed to a deeper understanding of class consciousness and the cultural divide existing therein.

In conjunction with the Academy Museum’s exhibition Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho, is a retrospective of the director’s first seven feature films, kicking off with a special screening of John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), a genre classic that influenced Bong’s dark, subversive style.

This series also examines the artistic styles of Bong’s genre-bending mastery, “excavating the dense subject matter explored in his body of work, formulated with dilemmas, horror, humor, and shifting tonality.” (Hyesung ii)

For more information on Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho check out the Academy Museum’s Exhibition page here,

The Academy Museum

 

Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!

#AFI, AFI DWW+, American Film Institute

AFI DWW+ SHOWCASE CELEBRATES FILMS FROM EMERGING DIRECTORS

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Los Angeles, CA, March 6, 2025 – The American Film Institute (AFI) premiered films from the AFI DWW+ Class of 2025 directors – Julia Bales, Jahmil Eady, MG Evangelista, Marissa High, Jasmine J. Johnson, Natasha Mynhier, Karina Lomelin Ripper and Ezra Rose – to a full house at the annual AFI DWW+ showcase on Wednesday, March 5 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theater in Los Angeles. Founded in 1974, AFI DWW+ is a tuition-free year-long directing program, open to all applicants, that supports emerging narrative filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts.

Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and Executive Vice President of the American Film Institute, opened the event with welcome remarks and congratulated the eight members of the Class of 2025 as they now join a legion of artists who have participated in the program since it began over 50 years ago. She noted the program’s “signature superpower” is its ability to bring artists together whose work aims to drive culture forward.

Ruskin then introduced AFI DWW+ Alum and Class of 2025 Guest Artistic Director Hanelle M. Culpepper (STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE, STAR TREK: PICARD, WESTWORLD), who mentored the directors and oversaw the artistic curriculum for the 2024–2025 program. She celebrated the achievements of the filmmakers and their dedication to their craft. “[They are] eight directors with passionate visions, talent, curiosity, unafraid to ask for what they need, and completely open to learning, to collaboration, and to feedback while supporting each other however they can,” said Culpepper. “Their work will have a social impact by challenging us and expanding our thinking while never failing to entertain us.”

Distinguished keynote speaker Emmy® Award-winning writer/director/producer Lucia Aniello (HACKS, BROAD CITY, ROUGH NIGHT) brought her signature humor to her address to the graduates, inspiring participants and guests alike with advice about the creative process and the unexpected places they may find story ideas. Aniello encouraged the directors to take in as many unique experiences as possible to help shape their point of view as a filmmaker, “Be disciplined – not with your output but with your life experiences and how present you are with them… And write everything down.”

Aniello is currently writing, directing and executive producing the fourth season of Max’s Original comedy series, HACKS starring Jean Smart, which she also co-created alongside Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky.

Following the remarks, the audience, which included filmmakers, actors, producers, agents, managers, studio executives and more, screened films directed by the AFI DWW+ Class of 2025 participants during the intensive program.

Learn more about the directors and their projects at: https://conservatory.afi.com/dww-showcase/.

As one of the longest-running and preeminent film and television workshops nationwide, AFI DWW+ has trained hundreds of artists whose directorial work has entertained global audiences and defined our collective cultural landscape. Distinguished Alums of the AFI DWW+ program include Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Neema Barnette, Pippa Bianco, Tessa Blake, Tricia Brock, Ellen Burstyn, Rebecca Cammisa, Dyan Cannon, Dime Davis, Jan Eliasberg, Naomi Foner, Jennifer Getzinger, Lesli Linka Glatter, Lyn Goldfarb, Randa Haines, Siân Heder, Victoria Hochberg, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Matia Karrell, Maggie Kiley, Lynne Littman, Nancy Malone, Gandja Monteiro, Amber Sealy, Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, Becky Smith, Cicely Tyson, Jude Weng and Joanne Woodward. View full list of 350+ AFI DWW Alums here.

AFI DWW+ is part of the AFI Conservatory’s Department of Innovative Programs, which also includes the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. Through a range of learning opportunities, Innovative Programs serves a diverse community of aspiring visual storytellers to cultivate cutting-edge technological and media-making skills, bridge access to professional networks and place participants on an upward career trajectory.

Learn more at Conservatory.AFI.com/Innovative-Programs/.

 

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 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

#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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Free Speech and Self Defense and at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

KANSAS CITY, MO. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial and American Public Square at Jewell will host, on Tuesday, March 11, “Speaking Freely.” A panel discussion moderated by Margaret Talev (director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship) will explore free speech in America – its evolution, its definition and its impact on politics, education and the daily lives of U.S. residents – more than 100 years after Americans entered WWI to “make the world safe for democracy.” The program is free onsite and online. A reception at the Museum and Memorial at 5:30 p.m. will precede the in-person event at 6 p.m.

The latest event in the Pershing Lecture Series is “An Enigma in Red Stripes and Gold Braid” on Tuesday, March 25 at 9:30 p.m. History remembers Erich von Falkenhayn for the “blood mill” of Verdun – despite realizing early on that attrition would be ultimately disastrous. Examine his controversial legacy with Dr. Scott Stephenson. The event is free with RSVP and available in-person and online.

In the tradition of British suffragettes practicing jiu-jitsu to protect themselves in their fight for voting rights, participants can learn self-defense in a two-hour hands-on training session. “Empower: Modern Self-Defense” takes place on Saturday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. The event is free, but registration is required (Ages 12+ only).

 

March National WWI Museum and Memorial events

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit: theworldwar.org.

If interested in attending any of the Museum and Memorial’s offerings contact Karis Erwin, Vice President of Marketing and Guest Services, at 816.888.8122 or kerwin@theworldwar.org.

 

 

SXSW

The Accountant 2

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

If you liked The Accountant with Ben Affleck, he’s reprising his role as  Christian Wolf, in The Accountant 2. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, this tense action thriller sees the return of the accountant, protector/assassin. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant.” Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Jon Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

 

Check out these behind the scenes photos

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 

makes its World Premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival , March 8th, and will be in theatres globally on April 25, 2025.

Stay tuned!

 

 

 

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