The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to educating filmmakers and celebrating the motion picture arts in the United States. Founded in 1967, it was created following a 1965 mandate by President Lyndon B. Johnson to establish a national arts organisation aimed at preserving the legacy of American cinema, educating filmmakers, and honoring artists and their work. Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Motion Picture Association of America, and the Ford Foundation, AFI’s founding board featured Gregory Peck as chairman and Sidney Poitier as vice-chairman.
AFI established the Center for Advanced Film Studies, now known as the AFI Conservatory, which provides graduate-level film training. The institute also created the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, a definitive resource for American film history. In addition to hosting the AFI DOCS film festival, the organisation educates audiences through its awards programs and 10 Top 10 Lists. AFI is recognized as the largest nonprofit film exhibitor in the world.
The American Film Institute (AFI) has been a cornerstone in preserving the legacy of cinema, honoring artistic achievements, and fostering new talent. Through its comprehensive initiatives and resources, AFI has significantly shaped the landscape of filmmaking and film appreciation.
The AFI Catalog of Feature Films, launched in 1968, serves as an essential tool for film historians, documenting over 60,000 feature films and 17,000 short films produced between 1893 and 2011. The catalog also highlights the AFI Awards’ Outstanding Movies of the Year from 2000 to 2010.
AFI’s Life Achievement Award is one of its most prestigious honors, recognising individuals for their exceptional contributions to the film industry. Additionally, the AFI Awards, established in 2000, celebrate the year’s 10 most outstanding films and television programs in a non-competitive format.
The AFI 100 Years… series (1998–2008) compiled lists of America’s greatest films across categories such as Musicals, Thrills, and Laughs. Citizen Kane was twice voted the greatest American film by a jury of over 1,500 experts, including scholars, artists, and critics.
The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, located in Maryland, is a historic site for film exhibitions, featuring restored architecture and hosting panels, interviews, and filmmaker discussions.
AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women is a year-long program for aspiring female directors, with alumnae including luminaries like Maya Angelou and Lily Tomlin. The organisation also produced The Directors Series (1999–2001), which showcased the careers of renowned filmmakers through detailed hour-long programs.
Through these initiatives, AFI continues to champion the art of cinema, ensuring its preservation, celebration, and evolution for generations to come.
To learn more, please visit festival website, submit to festival here, or save as favorite and add notes.
