AFI Conservatory
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AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE 2018 IMPACT REPORT 2019 The American Film Institute champions the moving image as an art form. | We believe in the revolutionary EDUCATE INSPIRE power of visual storytelling to share perspectives, inspire empathy and drive culture forward. 1 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE –IMPACT REPORT A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO TABLE OF CONTENTS We all have a story to tell. AFI Conservatory ...................................................................................... 5 This simple yet powerful idea is one AFI believes passionately. Whether it is a story of triumph or AFI Alumni And Honorary Degrees ...................................................... 11 trial, hope or despair, AFI is dedicated to ensuring that great stories bring audiences together — and that the moving image reflects the diverse perspectives of our nation and world. AFI Directing Workshop For Women ..................................................... 19 And so, throughout the past year we championed talented storytellers from around the globe, AFI Cinematography Intensive For Women ........................................... 21 helping their stories soar across screens of all sizes. AFI-supported artists took our breath away — and made us leap to our feet with pride at their monumental achievements. Young Women In Film ............................................................................ 23 Just as importantly, people from many backgrounds joined together around the glow AFI FEST Presented By Audi ................................................................. 25 of these tales well told, becoming one audience at AFI festivals, tributes and showcases, and proving once again how the moving image unites us like few other art forms. AFI DOCS .............................................................................................. 31 We want to acknowledge the friends and supporters who made this work over the past year Meet The Press Film Festival With AFI .................................................. 37 possible. It is only through AFI members, donors and, of course, its steadfast Board of Trustees that AFI will continue succeeding at the highest level of the art form — and for this we are AFI Catalog Of Feature Films. ............................................................... 39 enduringly grateful. AFI Archive ............................................................................................. 43 Whether you are new to the Institute or a friend of many years, I hope you sit back, relax and enjoy the following highlights of the year. AFI Life Achievement Award ................................................................. 49 This is the story of AFI. AFI AWARDS ........................................................................................ 53 AFI Silver Theatre And Cultural Center ................................................ 57 Financials ................................................................................................ 63 Bob Gazzale Board Of Trustees .................................................................................. 65 President & CEO Donor Lists .............................................................................................. 67 AFI CONSERVATORY AFI’s world-renowned narrative filmmaker training program offers a two-year MFA in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. 5 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE – IMPACT REPORT AFI CONSERVATORY 6 THE AFI CONSERVATORY IS DEDICATED TO CREATING A VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY FOR STORYTELLERS. With talent, imagination and drive, (Directing) and Academy Award®- aspiring filmmakers of all backgrounds nominated producer Lianne Halfon and perspectives find a home at AFI — (Producing). Other highly acclaimed and the skills they need to excel at the new members of the faculty who are highest level of the art form. helping nurture the next generation of % storytellers include Chinonye Chukwu, In the 2018–2019 academic year, AFI director/writer of Sundance 2019 Grand 49 welcomed new leadership to Campus, Jury Prize winner CLEMENCY, and female Fellows including the appointment of Dean Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black Susan Ruskin. A seasoned producer List – Hollywood’s annual rundown of and an experienced academic, Ruskin the best unproduced screenplays. is a bold and innovative leader. The Conservatory also welcomed two new Discipline heads: accomplished filmmaker and educator Adam Salky % “ In a world where moving 45 images are the fabric of domestic Fellows of color society, AFI’s role as a champion of exceptional storytellers is more vital than ever.” – AFI Conservatory Dean Susan Ruskin 47% international Fellows (2017-2019) 7 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE – IMPACT REPORT AFI CONSERVATORY 8 YOUR BEST WORK STARTS HERE. The AFI Conservatory is a training “I was afforded a privilege I never ground for trailblazers. Each year, gifted, thought I would be able to get,” he said, aspiring filmmakers turn to AFI to help “to thank [Denzel Washington], as a transform their dreams into reality, such black filmmaker, for all the barriers he as current AFI Fellow Omar Kamara. had knocked down and the coursing, pure inspiration he had provided and In early 2018, Omar wrote to the AFI still provides for me.” Conservatory seeking to pursue “the audacity of [his] dreams” by studying AFI prides itself on supporting directing at the world-renowned film and championing emerging artists, school. The son of immigrants from such as Omar, and giving them the Sierra Leone, Omar worried about tools, training and confidence needed disappointing his father by following his to succeed. life-long passion of becoming a director. However, his love for storytelling was undeniable, as was his desire to make movies that reflect authentic, underrepresented voices. Omar started “ It’s not about at AFI and just a few months later met AFI Life Achievement Award recipient succumbing to fear. OTHER MASTERS WHO HAVE VISITED CAMPUS Denzel Washington during an on- campus seminar exclusively for Fellows. Ed Zwick*/TRIAL BY FIRE Catherine Hardwicke/MISS BALA It is about diving Sam Esmail*/HOMECOMING Debra Granik/LEAVE NO TRACE Damien Chazelle, Tom Cross/FIRST MAN Nahnatchka Kahn/ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE headfirst into your Karyn Kusama/DESTROYER Lee Chang-dong/BURNING Tamara Jenkins/PRIVATE LIFE Hirokazu Kore-eda/SHOPLIFTERS Steve McQueen/WIDOWS Matthew Libatique*/A STAR IS BORN purpose.” Paul Schrader*/FIRST REFORMED Autumn Durald*/TEEN SPIRIT – Omar Kamara Peter Farrelly/GREEN BOOK Caleb Deschanel*/NEVER LOOK AWAY AFI Conservatory Second Year Fellow Barry Jenkins/IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK *AFI Conservatory Alumni 9 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE –IMPACT REPORT AFI CONSERVATORY 10 THE AFI CONSERVATORY HONORARY DEGREES During the 2019 AFI Conservatory Even on the hardest Commencement ceremony at the historic “ TCL Chinese Theatre, AFI proudly days, we are so bestowed Honorary Degrees upon two fortunate to be master filmmakers — Paul Schrader (AFI Class of 1969, director of storytellers. As I Academy Award®-nominated FIRST look out on this REFORMED and screenwriter of TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, amazing group of THE LAST TEMPTATION OF filmmakers beginning CHRIST and BRINGING OUT your journey, I feel THE DEAD) and Lesli Linka Glatter (AFI Directing Workshop for Women inspired and hopeful ® alumna and Emmy -nominated and excited to see director of HOMELAND and MAD MEN). Glatter and Schrader were both what unique and recognized for their contributions to the diverse stories you are art of the moving image, and the two shared words of wisdom and advice with compelled to tell.” the graduating class of Fellows. – Lesli Linka Glatter 11 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE –IMPACT– IMPACT REPORTREPORT AFI ALUMNI AND HONORARYAFI CONSERVATORY DEGREES 12 FRANKLIN J. SCHAFFNER ALUMNI MEDAL AFI’s salute to alumni excellence, The award means that the Franklin J. Schaffner Medal, was “ awarded to trailblazing director Melina we want new voices, Matsoukas who helmed QUEEN & new stories, and that SLIM, INSECURE, MASTER OF NONE and Beyoncé’s “Formation.” people are valuing Matsoukas is a two-time Grammy®- those stories. I hope winning director and steadfast mentor it will inspire and to aspiring female filmmakers. Beyoncé Knowles surprised Matsoukas and show black boys and presented her with the Schaffner Medal girls that they can at the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute honoring Denzel Washington. achieve greatness.” – Melina Matsoukas 13 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE –IMPACT– IMPACT REPORTREPORT AFI ALUMNI AND HONORARYAFI CONSERVATORY DEGREES 14 AFI CONSERVATORY ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS For 50 years, the Conservatory’s reputation has been built by and reflected in the excellence of AFI’s alumni. Recent graduates have already received accolades for their work completed at AFI, including sweeping the narrative category at this year’s Student Academy Awards® (Omer Ben-Shachar, Asher Jelinsky and Hao Zheng, left to right). ASC Student Heritage Award recipient Lucas Dziedzic American Society of Cinematographers Gold Medal Winner, 2019 Student Academy Awards® Best Live Action Winner, 2019 BAFTA Student Film Awards Asher Jelinsky BAFTA-GSA Commissioning Grant recipient, 2019 BAFTA Student Film Awards Lola Blanche Higgins Television Academy 2019 Student Academy Awards® 39th College Television Awards 5 3 5 finalists medals nominations 15 AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE –IMPACT– IMPACT REPORTREPORT AFI ALUMNI AND HONORARYAFI CONSERVATORY DEGREES 16 EMMYS