AFI FEST
AFI FEST 2024 is scheduled for October 23-27 with in-person screenings and events in Los Angeles, CA showcasing transformative stories from groundbreaking artists. AFI FEST is the longest-running international film festival in Los Angeles
Awards & Prizes
AFI FEST presents the year's most significant films. Kicking off the awards season each fall, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community. Featuring international work from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of films from the great masters, tributes and red-carpet gala premieres, AFI FEST brings the very best of world cinema to the city of Los Angeles, the film capital of the world. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. AFI FEST is also a BIFA and BAFTA qualifying festival for Short Films
In 2023, AFI FEST presented more than 140 films from 49 countries, with 43% directed by women, 36% directed by BIPOC filmmakers and 17% directed by LGBTQIA+ filmmakers. Program highlights from AFI FEST 2023 included screenings of 20 Best International Oscar® Submissions and ALL OF US STRANGERS, AMERICAN FICTION, THE BIKERIDERS, FINGERNAILS, MEMORY and PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE introduced by Guest Artistic Director Greta Gerwig. The festival opened with the World Premiere of the apocalyptic thriller LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, written and directed by Sam Esmail (AFI Class of 2004), and closed with Bradley Cooper’s MAESTRO, with cinematography by Oscar® nominee Matthew Libatique (AFI Class of 1992) and produced by AFI Life Achievement Award recipients Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg
AFI FEST winners have consistently been nominated for Academy Awards®, Emmy Awards® and other major recognitions
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards
The Grand Jury Award winners for Live Action, Documentary, and Animated Short will be eligible for the Best Live Action Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short Academy Awards® sections
AFI FEST is also a BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festival for the British Short Film category
