Private Luncheon to Celebrate Winners on January 9, 2026
The American Film Institute (AFI) has officially announced the honorees for the 2025 AFI AWARDS, recognizing ten exceptional films and ten outstanding television programs that exemplify the year’s most impactful achievements in the art of storytelling and the moving image.
AFI MOTION PICTURES OF THE YEAR
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- – James Cameron’s epic transports audiences to Pandora, igniting conversations about humanity and the environment through its technical brilliance and emotional storytelling.
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- Yorgos Lanthimos delivers a genre-blending, reality-shattering cinematic experience led by masterful performances from Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.
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- Guillermo del Toro reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic, celebrating cinematic artistry with an all-star cast and themes of monsters, men, and forgiveness.
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- Chloé Zhao’s adaptation takes viewers on a journey through grief and spiritual revelation, highlighted by standout performances from Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley.
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- Noah Baumbach’s heartfelt homage to filmmaking and family features George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and Laura Dern in emotionally resonant roles.
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- – Josh Safdie’s genre-spanning epic explores the American dream with Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Odessa A’zion in a dynamic ensemble.
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- Paul Thomas Anderson’s action-packed, family-centric film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and a brilliant supporting cast in a revolutionary tale.
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- Ryan Coogler’s genre-bending masterpiece delves into America’s haunted past, with Michael B. Jordan delivering a powerful dual performance.
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- Clint Bentley’s poetic narrative explores memory and time, anchored by Joel Edgerton’s resonant portrayal.
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- Jon M. Chu’s vibrant return to Oz redefines friendship and choices, with spellbinding performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
AFI TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
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- Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne’s drama confronts the rage of youth and its consequences with gripping performances and innovative storytelling.
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- Tony Gilroy reimagines the STAR WARS universe, presenting a complex tale of resistance and heroism.
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- Mike Makowsky’s historical drama offers insight into America’s divided present through tragedy and humor.
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- Debora Cahn’s series blends personal and political drama, led by Keri Russell and a talented ensemble.
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- Sterlin Harjo’s neo-pulp series explores marginalized America, with Ethan Hawke’s magnetic performance at its core.
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- R. Scott Gemmill’s medical drama captures the challenges faced by frontline heroes in a timely, emotionally charged narrative.
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- Vince Gilligan’s high-concept story questions humanity, featuring Rhea Seehorn in a standout role.
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- Dan Erickson’s surreal series continues to push boundaries, offering commentary on work-life balance with a stellar cast.
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- Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez deliver a satirical, insider look at Hollywood’s creative engine.
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- – Brad Ingelsby’s police procedural transcends genre, focusing on themes of family and forgiveness through powerful ensemble performances.
AFI SPECIAL AWARD
“For more than 25 years, the AFI AWARDS has proudly celebrated community over competition,” remarked Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO. “AFI is privileged to honor these creative teams as a united force, demonstrating the enduring influence of art during challenging times.”
Honorees will come together for recognition at the annual AFI AWARDS luncheon, held privately at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Friday, January 9, 2026. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and genuine celebration of achievement, this event is a favorite among entertainment industry professionals.
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AFI AWARDS pays tribute to the collaborative spirit of film and television, being the only national program to honor entire creative teams—both on screen and behind the scenes. Each honored project elevates the art of storytelling, inspires audiences and creators, and enriches America’s cultural heritage. These works, viewed through a historical lens, offer a layered and vivid snapshot of contemporary society.
Selections for AFI AWARDS are decided by a jury composed of AFI Trustees, artists, critics, and scholars, who identify the year’s most exceptional achievements and provide insightful artistic and cultural context for each honoree.
This year’s juries—one for motion pictures and another for television—included artists like Lily Gladstone, Lauren LeFranc, Patton Oswalt, and Thomas Schlamme; scholars such as Mark Harris, Leonard Maltin, and representatives from Syracuse University, USC, UCLA, and UC Santa Cruz; AFI Board of Trustees members; and critics including Ann Hornaday, Janet Maslin, Peter Travers, and others from outlets like TV Guide and Vanity Fair. The juries were led by Jeanine Basinger (Chair Emerita and Founder of Wesleyan University’s Film Studies Department) and Richard Frank (Vice Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees and former executive of Walt Disney Television, Walt Disney Studios, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences).
The 2025 honorees join a distinguished lineage of AFI AWARDS recipients whose works have shaped the art form and contributed to the nation’s rich cultural legacy. To see previous honorees, click here.
The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the moving image as an art form. Founded in 1967, AFI initiated the first comprehensive history of American cinema and played a pivotal role in advancing film preservation across the United States. Two years later, AFI established the AFI Conservatory, a graduate program focused on training narrative filmmakers. Notable alumni include Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas, and Rachel Morrison, and the Conservatory is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading film schools.
AFI’s longstanding traditions feature the AFI Life Achievement Award, which recognizes filmmakers whose work has made a lasting impact, and the AFI AWARDS, honoring the creative teams behind the year’s most exceptional screen stories. The organization also preserves film heritage through scholarly initiatives like the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive.
AFI offers a range of exhibition programs, including the AFI FEST Presented by Canva and year-round screenings at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. The AFI Movie Club serves as a global hub for movie enthusiasts to appreciate and discuss cinematic art daily. AFI also leads innovative workshops aimed at increasing diversity within the filmmaking community, such as AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. To learn more about AFI’s programs, visit AFI.com and connect with the organization on social media via Facebook, YouTube, X, TikTok (@AmericanFilmInstitute), and Instagram.
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