AFI Conservatory Alumni Shine as AFI FEST Celebrates Its Landmark 40th Edition in Hollywood
HOLLYWOOD, CA — The American Film Institute (AFI) has officially unveiled its expansive lineup for the milestone 40th edition of AFI FEST, presented by Canva. Running from October 21 to October 25 in the heart of Hollywood, this year’s festival once again highlights the profound, global impact of the AFI Conservatory. From prestigious Red Carpet Premieres to illuminating World Cinema showcases, adventurous documentaries, and breakthrough discoveries, alumni of the esteemed institution continue to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, demonstrating exceptional mastery across every discipline of the filmmaking craft.
Film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and critics alike are invited to experience these masterworks on the big screen throughout the five-day cinematic celebration. Tickets and comprehensive festival passes are currently available to the public at the official festival portal, FEST.AFI.com.
Main Facts: A Landmark Anniversary and Alumni Excellence
The 40th anniversary of AFI FEST arrives as a watershed moment for the organization, underscoring four decades of championing bold cinematic voices. This year’s curated slate boasts an impressive roster of AFI Conservatory alumni serving in critical creative capacities—directing, writing, producing, shooting, editing, and designing some of the most anticipated films of the year.
The lineup spans multiple competitive and non-competitive sections, reflecting the diversity and depth of talent fostered within the conservatory’s walls. Notable highlights feature projects from Academy Award winners and nominees, Sundance darlings, and Berlinale victors, cementing the AFI Conservatory’s legacy as a premier incubator for cinematic excellence.
Chronology of Festival Highlights & Screenings
The five-day cinematic calendar is packed with high-profile screenings, interactive Q&A sessions, and red-carpet galas. Here is the chronological breakdown of key alumni-involved films screening at the 40th AFI FEST:
Tuesday, October 21
- WILDWOOD (Red Carpet Premiere) – 7:30 p.m.
- Alumnus: Caleb Deschanel (AFI Class of 1969) as Cinematographer.
- Details: From the Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning studio LAIKA (Coraline), this sweeping animated adventure explores love, sacrifice, and the magic hidden just beyond the familiar.
- IVÁN & HADOUM (Discovery) – 9:00 p.m.
- Alumnus: Hubert Toint (AFI Class of 1979) as Co-Producer.
- Details: Winner of the Teddy Award at the Berlinale, Ian de la Rosa’s feature debut explores queer love, desire, and self-acceptance against the backdrop of an Almerían fruit-packing plant.
- POSSIBLE LOVE (Luminaries) – 5:15 p.m. (Additional screening on October 22 at 2:30 p.m.)
- Alumnus: Kim Ji-Yong (AFI Class of 2003) as Cinematographer.
- Details: Master filmmaker Lee Chang-dong returns with his first feature in eight years, a sophisticated examination of labor, trauma, and social inequality in South Korea.
Wednesday, October 22
- BEDFORD PARK (Discovery) – 9:15 p.m.
- Alumni: Bryan Hwang (AFI Class of 2013) as Executive Producer; Javiera Varas (AFI Class of 2006) as Production Designer.
- Details: Stephanie Ahn’s Sundance award-winning feature debut offers a deeply affecting, emotionally layered portrait of an unexpected connection between two lost souls, grounded by a phenomenal South Korean cast.
Thursday, October 23
- STEALING MAGIC (Documentary) – 6:00 p.m.
- Alumni: Diane Becker (AFI Class of 2006) as Producer; Matthew Testa (AFI Class of 2004) as Executive Producer; Gabriela Gonzalez (AFI Class of 2010) as Co-Producer.
- Details: A riveting documentary detailing a globe-spanning investigation into cybercrime and extortion after professional magicians discover their original tricks are being illicitly sold online.
- MOUSE (Special Screenings) – 6:15 p.m.
- Alumnus: Nate Hurtsellers (AFI Class of 2014) as Cinematographer.
- Details: High-school senior Minnie (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) navigates a turbulent world while forming a complex bond with her best friend’s mother (Sophie Okonedo).
- THE MAN I LOVE (Special Screenings) – 9:30 p.m.
- Alumni: Christopher Taylor (AFI Class of 1988) as Cinematographer; Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993) as Editor.
- Details: Ira Sachs’ 1980s New York City musical drama stars Rami Malek as Jimmy George, a charismatic "theater artist" whose magnetic pull leaves those in his orbit spinning as his health and persona fade.
Friday, October 24
- JOSEPHINE (Special Screenings) – 2:00 p.m.
- Alumni: Beth de Araújo (AFI Class of 2013) as Writer/Producer/Director; Joshua Beirne-Golden (AFI Class of 2011) as Producer; Marina Stabile (AFI Class of 2009) as Producer; Anisha Acharya (AFI Class of 2014) as Editor; Oliver Harwood (AFI Class of 2013) as Editor.
- Details: The Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award winner at the 2026 Sundance U.S. Dramatic Competition, this sophomore feature is a profound meditation on the loss of childhood innocence and the limits of parental protection.
- MY BROTHER’S KILLER (Documentary) – 7:00 p.m.
- Alumnus: Michael Marius Pessah (AFI Class of 2004) as Cinematographer.
- Details: Directed by Rachel Mason (Circus of Books, AFI FEST 2019), this true-crime documentary investigates the 1990 murder of William Arnold Newton, ultimately helping crack a cold case over three decades later.
Saturday, October 25
- RAY GUNN (Red Carpet Premiere) – 1:00 p.m.
- Alumnus: Matthew Robbins (AFI Class of 1969) as Writer.
- Details: A decades-in-the-making passion project from Oscar-winning visionary Brad Bird, Ray Gunn is a retro-futuristic neo-noir mystery featuring a star-studded voice cast including Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits.
- A LONG WINTER (World Cinema) – 11:00 a.m.
- Alumnus: Jonathan Alberts (AFI Class of 2001) as Editor.
- Details: Acclaimed British filmmaker Andrew Haigh (45 Years, All of Us Strangers) adapts Colm Tóibín’s evocative novella, crafting a beguiling cinematic exploration of grief, desire, and family dynamics.
- BEING HEUMANN (Red Carpet Premiere) – 7:30 p.m.
- Alumnus: Siân Heder (AFI DWW+ Class of 2005) as Director/Producer.
- Details: Directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder, this true-story-based feature recounts the revolutionary and deeply human journey of everyday people achieving the impossible to transform millions of lives.
Supporting Data: The Institutional Footprint
The sheer density of AFI alumni representation across varied genres—ranging from high-concept animation and gritty true-crime documentaries to avant-garde international dramas—highlights the rigorous, hands-on training ingrained in the AFI Conservatory curriculum.
- Generational Span: Contributions stretch from early trailblazers of the Class of 1969 (such as writer Matthew Robbins and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel) to modern cinematic leaders of the 2010s and 2020s, illustrating an enduring pipeline of talent.
- Global Reach: Alumni are not only shaping domestic American cinema but are also anchoring major international co-productions featured across the World Cinema and Luminaries sections, spanning South Korea, Ireland, Spain, and Belgium.
- Cross-Disciplinary Mastery: The festival selections highlight excellence across multiple technical and creative crafts, validating the conservatory’s department-specific training in directing, cinematography, producing, editing, and production design.
Official Responses and Industry Impact
Festival organizers have continuously emphasized that the vitality of AFI FEST relies heavily on the creative output of its graduates. By providing a prominent platform in Hollywood, the festival acts as both a celebratory homecoming and a vital industry launchpad.
"From World Cinema and Special Screenings to Luminaries, Documentary, Discovery and more, AFI Conservatory Alumni continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and showcase their mastery of the art of filmmaking," festival programmers noted in a joint statement.
The inclusion of multiple award-winning festival favorites—such as Sundance breakout Josephine and Berlinale winner Iván & Hadoum—proves that AFI alumni are not merely participating in the contemporary cinematic landscape; they are actively defining it.
Implications for the Future of Independent and Studio Filmmaking
As AFI FEST celebrates its Ruby Anniversary, the implications of its alumni’s ongoing success extend far beyond a week of celebratory screenings in Hollywood.
- Sustaining Original Voice in Studio Spaces: Projects like LAIKA’s Wildwood and Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn demonstrate that AFI-trained creators successfully bridge the gap between commercial studio ambitions and deeply personal, visionary storytelling.
- Championing Socially Conscious Cinema: Documentaries like My Brother’s Killer and narrative features like Being Heumann and Iván & Hadoum signal a healthy industry appetite for narratives centered on social justice, disability rights, and marginalized identities.
- Fortifying Non-Profit Arts Education: Beyond the glitz of red carpets, events like AFI FEST reinforce the vital mission of the American Institute. Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, AFI relies on community engagement, public patronage, and donor support—such as the ongoing nationwide campaign inviting film lovers to join its advocacy network—to continue empowering the next generation of visual storytellers.
Audiences looking to support the future of independent cinema and participate in this landmark 40th-anniversary event can secure tickets, explore detailed screening schedules, and make philanthropic contributions by visiting the official festival portal at FEST.AFI.com.
